Lacing system and method of manufacturing the same

Abstract

A lacing system for an article of clothing may include a first continuous lacing element and a second continuous lacing element, wherein each continuous lacing element has a lacing receiving portion that is directly or indirectly secured to the article of clothing, and a lacing portion that can engage with a corresponding annular hole of the lacing receiving portion to provide a closure mechanism. The article of clothing may be an article of footwear, and the lacing system may be configured to close an opening in an upper of the article of footwear.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 16 / 831,680, filed on March 26, 2020, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0003] field

[0004] The present disclosure relates to lacing systems for articles of apparel.

[0005] background

[0006] Articles of apparel may include lacing systems that provide and / or limit access to interior regions of the article, enhance the performance of the article, and / or improve comfort for the wearer.Continued improvements in lacing systems for articles of apparel are desirable. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 An exemplary lacing system is illustrated.

[0009] Figure 2 Illustration of the Figure 1 Part of the lacing system shown in .

[0010] Figure 3 Illustration of the Figure 1 The lacing system shown in .

[0011] Figure 4 Another exemplary lacing system is illustrated.

[0012] Figure 5 Illustration of the Figure 2 The lacing system shown in .

[0013] Figure 6 A portion of an exemplary lacing system on an article of apparel is illustrated.

[0014] Figure 7 Illustration of the Figure 6 The lacing system shown in .

[0015] Figure 8 Another exemplary lacing system on an article of apparel is illustrated.

[0016] Fig. 9 Another exemplary lacing system on an article of apparel is illustrated.

[0017] Detailed Description

[0018] Disclosed herein are various embodiments of lacing systems and articles of apparel including lacing systems, as well as methods of making and using such lacing systems.

[0019] In one embodiment, a lacing system for an article of clothing is provided. The lacing system includes: a first continuous lacing element having a first lacing receiving portion and a first lacing portion; a second continuous lacing element having a second lacing receiving portion and a second lacing portion; a first carrier, the first lacing receiving portion of the first lacing element being fixedly attached to the first carrier; and a second carrier, the second lacing receiving portion of the second lacing element being fixedly attached to the second carrier. The second carrier is spaced apart from the first carrier by a lacing gap. The first lacing receiving portion forms a first plurality of annular holes, and the second lacing receiving portion forms a second plurality of annular holes. The first lacing portion can engage with corresponding annular holes in the first plurality of annular holes and corresponding annular holes in the second plurality of annular holes, and the second lacing portion can engage with corresponding annular holes in the first plurality of annular holes and corresponding annular holes in the second plurality of annular holes.

[0020] The first plurality of annular holes and the second plurality of annular holes may form a plurality of pairs of annular holes, such as at least two pairs of annular holes or two to ten pairs of annular holes. The plurality of pairs of annular holes may be symmetrically aligned along the length of the lacing system.

[0021] The first carrier and the second carrier may be formed from elongated strips of material extending along first and second sides, respectively, of the lacing gap. In some embodiments, the first carrier and the second carrier may have a rectangular shape.

[0022] In some embodiments, the lace receiving portion may be sewn to the respective carrier.Alternatively or additionally, the lace receiving portion may be adhesively bonded to the respective carrier.

[0023] The lacing system may include an article of apparel, such as an article of footwear, and the first carrier and the second carrier may be secured to an exterior surface of the article of apparel. In some embodiments, the first carrier has a first top surface and a first bottom surface, and the first lacing receiving portion is secured to the first top surface (or alternatively, the first bottom surface) of the first carrier, and the second carrier has a second top surface and a second bottom surface, and the second lacing receiving portion is secured to the second top surface (or alternatively, the second bottom surface) of the second carrier. The first bottom surface and the second bottom surface may face the exterior surface of the article of apparel.

[0024] In some embodiments, the first lace receiving portion can form a first plurality of lower annular holes and the second lace receiving portion can form a second plurality of lower annular holes, wherein the first plurality of lower annular holes and the second plurality of lower annular holes are configured to engage with one or more strands extending from a sole structure of the footwear article.

[0025] In other embodiments, at least a portion of the first lace receiving portion and at least a portion of the second lace receiving portion are covered by an exterior portion of an upper of the article of footwear. The first lace receiving portion may extend from a first starting end of the first lace element to a first middle portion of the first lace element, and the first lace portion may extend from the first middle portion of the first lace element to a first end of the first lace element, and the second lace receiving portion may extend from a second starting end of the second lace element to a second middle portion of the second lace element, and the second lace portion may extend from the second middle portion of the second lace element to a second end of the second lace element.

[0026] In another embodiment, an article of clothing may include an opening in the article of clothing; a first continuous lacing element having a first lacing receiving portion and a first lacing portion, the first lacing receiving portion being secured to a first side of the opening in the article of clothing; and a second continuous lacing element having a second lacing receiving portion and a second lacing portion, the second lacing receiving portion being secured to a second side of the opening in the article of clothing. The first lacing receiving portion may form a first plurality of annular holes extending toward the second side, and the second lacing receiving portion may form a second plurality of annular holes extending toward the first side. The first lacing portion may engage with corresponding annular holes in the first plurality of annular holes and corresponding annular holes in the second plurality of annular holes, and the second lacing portion may engage with corresponding annular holes in the first plurality of annular holes and corresponding annular holes in the second plurality of annular holes. The article of clothing may be an article of footwear, and the opening may be an opening in an upper of the article of footwear.

[0027] In some embodiments, the first and second strap receiving portions are secured directly to an outer surface of the article of apparel. Alternatively, the first strap receiving portion can be secured to a first carrier and the second strap receiving portion can be secured to a second carrier, and the first and second carriers can be secured to an outer surface of the article of apparel.

[0028] The first and second plurality of annular holes may form a plurality of pairs of annular holes extending along the first and second sides of the opening, such as a plurality of pairs of annular holes symmetrically aligned from two to ten pairs.

[0029] The first carrier and the second carrier may include elongated strips of material. The first carrier may have a first top surface and a first bottom surface, and the first strap receiving portion may be secured to the first top surface (or alternatively, the first bottom surface) of the first carrier. Similarly, the second carrier may have a second top surface and a second bottom surface, and the second strap receiving portion may be secured to the second top surface (or alternatively, the second bottom surface) of the second carrier. The first bottom surface and the second bottom surface may face an outer surface of the article of apparel.

[0030] In some embodiments, the first lace receiving portion can form a first plurality of lower annular holes and the second lace receiving portion can form a second plurality of lower annular holes, wherein the first plurality of lower annular holes and the second plurality of lower annular holes are configured to engage with one or more strands extending from a sole structure of the article of footwear.

[0031] In yet another embodiment, a method of manufacturing an article of footwear is provided. The method may include: securing a first lacing receiving portion of a first lacing element to a first side of an opening in an article of clothing, wherein the first lacing receiving portion forms a first plurality of annular holes; securing a second lacing receiving portion of a second lacing element to a second side of an opening in an article of clothing, wherein the second lacing receiving portion forms a second plurality of annular holes; engaging the first lacing portion of the first lacing element with a corresponding annular hole in the first plurality of annular holes and a corresponding annular hole in the second plurality of annular holes, such that the first lacing portion extends laterally across the opening along at least a portion of the length of the opening; and engaging the second lacing portion of the second lacing element with a corresponding annular hole in the first plurality of annular holes and a corresponding annular hole in the second plurality of annular holes, such that the second lacing portion extends laterally across the opening along at least a portion of the length of the opening. The article of clothing may be an article of footwear, and the opening may be an opening in an upper of the article of footwear.

[0032] In some embodiments, the first and second strap receiving portions can be secured directly to an outer surface of the article of apparel. Alternatively, the first strap receiving portion can be secured to a first carrier and the second strap receiving portion can be secured to a second carrier, and the first and second carriers can be secured to an outer surface of the article of apparel.

[0033] The first and second plurality of annular holes form a plurality of pairs of annular holes extending along the first and second sides of the opening, such as symmetrically aligned pairs of annular holes, and the number of the pairs of annular holes ranges from 2 to 10 pairs.

[0034] In some embodiments, the first carrier and the second carrier may include elongated strips of material. The first carrier may have a first top surface and a first bottom surface, and the first strap receiving portion may be secured to the first top surface (or alternatively, the first bottom surface) of the first carrier, and the second carrier may have a second top surface and a second bottom surface, and the second strap receiving portion may be secured to the second top surface (or alternatively, the second bottom surface) of the first carrier. The first bottom surface and the second bottom surface may face an outer surface of the article of apparel.

[0035] In some embodiments, the first lace receiving portion forms a first plurality of lower annular holes and the second lace receiving portion forms a second plurality of lower annular holes, the first plurality of lower annular holes and the second plurality of lower annular holes being configured to engage with one or more strands extending from a sole structure of the article of footwear. At least a portion of the first lace receiving portion and at least a portion of the second lace receiving portion may be covered by an exterior portion of an upper of the article of footwear.

[0036] The first strap receiving portion can extend from the first starting end of the first strap element to the first middle portion of the first strap element, and the first strap portion can extend from the first middle portion of the first strap element to the first end of the first strap element, and the second strap receiving portion can extend from the second starting end of the second strap element to the second middle portion of the second strap element, and the second strap portion can extend from the second middle portion of the second strap element to the second end of the second strap element.

[0037] In yet another embodiment, a method of forming a lacing system for attachment to an article of clothing is provided. The method may include: securing a first lacing receiving portion of a first lacing element to a first carrier, wherein the first lacing receiving portion forms a first plurality of annular holes; and securing a second lacing receiving portion of a second lacing element to a second carrier, wherein the second lacing receiving portion forms a second plurality of annular holes. The first lacing element may include a first lacing portion extending away from the first carrier to engage with a corresponding annular hole in the first plurality of annular holes and a corresponding annular hole in the second plurality of annular holes, so that the first lacing portion can extend laterally across a lacing gap between the first carrier and the second carrier, and the second lacing element may include a second lacing portion extending away from the second carrier to engage with a corresponding annular hole in the first plurality of annular holes and a corresponding annular hole in the second plurality of annular holes, so that the second lacing portion can extend laterally across a lacing gap between the first carrier and the second carrier.

[0038] In some embodiments, the first plurality of annular holes and the second plurality of annular holes may form a plurality of pairs of annular holes, such as two to ten pairs of annular holes. The plurality of pairs of annular holes may be symmetrically aligned along the length of the lacing system.

[0039] The first carrier may be an elongated strip of material extending along a first side of the lace gap, and the second carrier may be an elongated strip of material extending along a second side of the lace gap.The first carrier and the second carrier may have a rectangular shape.

[0040] In some embodiments, the first lace receiving portion may be sewn to the first carrier and the second lace receiving portion may be sewn to the second carrier. In other embodiments, the first lace receiving portion may alternatively or additionally be adhesively bonded to the first carrier and the second lace receiving portion may alternatively or additionally be adhesively bonded to the second carrier.

[0041] General considerations

[0042] The systems and methods described herein and their individual components should not be construed as being limited in any way to the specific uses or systems described herein. Instead, the present disclosure focuses on all novel and non-obvious features and aspects of the various disclosed embodiments, individually and in various combinations and sub-combinations with each other. For example, as recognized by a person of ordinary skill in the relevant art based on the information disclosed herein, any feature or aspect of the disclosed embodiments may be used in various combinations and sub-combinations with each other. In addition, the disclosed systems, methods, and components thereof are not limited to any particular aspect or feature or combination thereof, nor do the disclosed things and methods require the existence of any one or more specific advantages or the resolution of any one or more specific problems.

[0043] As used in this application, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In addition, the term "include" means "comprise". Furthermore, the terms "coupled" or "fixed" encompass mechanical and chemical couplings, as well as other practical ways of coupling or joining items together, and do not exclude the presence of intermediate elements between the coupled items, unless otherwise indicated, such as by reference to the elements or surfaces thereof being "directly" coupled or fixed. In addition, as used herein, the term "and / or" means any one or combination of terms in the phrase.

[0044] As used herein, the term "exemplary" means serving as a non-limiting example, instance, or illustration. As used herein, the terms "eg" and "for example" introduce a list of one or more non-limiting embodiments, examples, instances, and / or illustrations.

[0045] Although the operations of some methods in the disclosed methods are described in a specific, sequential order for ease of presentation, it should be understood that unless the specific language stated below requires a specific order, this description includes rearrangement. For example, the operations described in sequence can be rearranged or implemented simultaneously in some cases. In addition, for simplicity, the accompanying drawings may not show the various ways in which the disclosed things and methods can be used in combination with other things and methods. In addition, sometimes the description uses terms such as "providing", "generating", "determining" and "selecting" to describe the disclosed methods. These terms are high-level descriptions of the actual operations performed. The actual operations corresponding to these terms will vary depending on the specific implementation and can be easily discerned by a person of ordinary skill in the art who benefits from the present disclosure.

[0046] As used herein, directional terms (e.g., "upper" and "lower") generally correspond to the orientation of an article of footwear or a sole assembly when it is configured to be worn by a wearer. For example, an "upward-facing surface" and / or an "upper surface" of a sole assembly refers to a surface that is oriented in an "upper" anatomical direction (i.e., toward the wearer's head) when the article of footwear is worn by a wearer. Similarly, the directional terms "downward" and / or "lower" refer to the anatomical direction "lower" (i.e., toward the ground and away from the wearer's head). "Front" means "front" (e.g., toward the toes), and "rear" means "rear" (e.g., toward the heel). "Medial" means "toward the midline of the body," and "lateral" means "away from the midline of the body." The term "lateral direction" or "transverse direction" refers to a side-to-side direction extending along the width of a component. In other words, the lateral direction may extend between the medial and lateral sides of the article of footwear. The “interior” of an article of footwear, such as a shoe, refers to the space occupied by the wearer's foot when the shoe is worn. The “inner side” or “inner surface” of an upper or other footwear element refers to the side of the element that is oriented toward the interior of the shoe in a completed article of footwear. The “exterior,” “outer side,” or “outer surface” of an element refers to the side of the element that is oriented away from the interior of the shoe in a completed article of footwear.

[0047] In some embodiments, a footwear article with a lacing system is disclosed. Therefore, those skilled in the relevant art will understand that, in addition to the specific types discussed in the following materials and described in the accompanying drawings, the concepts disclosed herein are applicable to a variety of footwear types. In the current embodiment, the footwear article is shown in the form of a sports shoe (such as a running shoe). However, in other embodiments, the disclosed lacing system can be used with any other type of footwear, including but not limited to: hiking boots, English soccer shoes, rugby shoes, rubber-soled canvas sneakers, running shoes, cross-training shoes, English rugby shoes, baseball shoes and other types of shoes. An exemplary footwear article is a low-top style. In other embodiments, the footwear article can be a high-top or other style. In addition, in some embodiments, the lacing system can be configured to be used with different types of non-sports related footwear, including but not limited to: dress shoes, slippers, loafers and any other types of footwear.

[0048] Footwear articles are a subset of apparel articles, and the exemplary lacing systems can be used with apparel articles other than footwear articles. For example, in some embodiments, the lacing systems and / or components disclosed herein can be used with any apparel article that requires a closure mechanism or can benefit from a closure mechanism to provide and / or limit access to the interior of the article. For example, other types of apparel articles that can use the exemplary lacing systems include clothing, such as trousers, shorts, shirts, dresses, sweaters, hooded sweatshirts, and other athletic wear or clothing items. Such lacing systems can be used as a substitute for other conventional lacing systems or other closure systems (such as zippers, buttons, straps, hook-and-loop closures, etc.).

[0049] As used herein, the terms "lace component," "lace element," or "lace" refer to an elongated structure extending continuously between a first end and a second end, which is capable of being routed through a lace receiving channel (e.g., an annular hole) described herein, and is capable of withstanding tensile loads, and the terms "lace component," "lace element," or "lace" include, but are not limited to, cables, strands, wires, cords, threads, or strings, etc. As used herein, the "end" of a lace includes the end of the lace and certain portions of the lace at the end, such as for applying tension on the lace, as will be well understood by those skilled in the art.

[0050] As used herein, the term "fixedly attached" refers to two components that are joined in such a manner that the two components may not be easily separated (eg, without damaging or destroying one or both components).

[0051] Although the accompanying drawings may illustrate an article of footwear intended for only one foot of a wearer (e.g., the right foot), those skilled in the art will recognize that the corresponding article of footwear for the other foot (e.g., the left foot) will be a mirror image of the right article of footwear.

[0052] Unless otherwise explained, all technical terms and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as those generally understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure belongs. Although methods and materials similar to or equivalent to the methods and materials described herein can be used for the implementation or testing of the present disclosure, suitable methods and materials will be described below. These materials, methods and examples are merely illustrative and are not intended to be limiting. Other features of the present disclosure are apparent from the detailed description, claims, abstract and accompanying drawings.

[0053] Disclosed Technology

[0054] Various lacing systems and methods of making the same are disclosed herein.

[0055] Figure 1 An exemplary lacing system 100 for use with an article of clothing is illustrated. The article of clothing may be any article of clothing that may utilize a closure system, including, for example, pants, shorts, shirts, dresses, sweaters, hooded sweatshirts, footwear, and other athletic apparel or clothing items. The lacing system provided herein may be used as a replacement for other conventional lacing systems or other closure systems such as zippers, buckles, straps, hook-and-loop closures.

[0056] In some embodiments, the article of apparel is an article of footwear and lacing system 100 can be incorporated into an upper of the article of footwear to selectively change the size of an ankle opening and allow a wearer to modify certain dimensions of the upper (e.g., circumference) to allow the foot to be received and secured within the cavity.

[0057] The lacing system may include a first lacing element 102 (also referred to herein as the first tensile component 102) and a second lacing element 104 (also referred to herein as the second tensile component 104). Each lacing element 102, 104 may be formed by a continuous lacing element (e.g., a rope, a strap, or other long, narrow piece of material). Examples of various materials that may be used include, but are not limited to, cotton, jute, hemp, natural leather, synthetic leather, textiles, polymer sheets or strips, and other types of natural or synthetic materials. In some cases, the material may be a woven or knitted textile material. In other cases, the material may be a plastic or polymer material. In one embodiment, the lacing elements 102, 104 may be made of a substantially inelastic material that resists stretching. In some cases, the lacing elements 102, 104 may include an elastic portion. In addition, the lacing elements 102, 104 may include a single strand of material or a plurality of strands of material. In addition, the lacing elements 102, 104 may be coated with a material along its length or a portion thereof to increase friction so as to keep the lacing fastened.

[0058] Each tie element 102, 104 may have two ends. Figure 1 As shown, first strap element 102 has a first starting end 106 and a first end 108, and second strap element 104 has a second starting end 110 and a second end 112. First end 108 and second end 112 may include an aglet. The aglet may be a small sheath, for example, made of plastic, metal or other material, which provides an improved gripping surface for the wearer.

[0059] The first strap element 102 may have a first strap receiving portion 114 and a first strap portion 116. The second strap element 104 may have a second strap receiving portion 118 and a second strap portion 120. Figure 1 As shown, the strap receiving portion transitions to the strap portion at an intermediate portion of both the first strap element and the second strap element.

[0060] In some embodiments, first lace receiving portion 114 can be secured to first carrier 122 and second lace receiving portion 118 can be secured to second carrier 124. First lace portion 116 and second lace portion 120 are not attached to either first carrier 122 or second carrier 124, such that first lace portion 116 and second lace portion 120 are each free to move relative to first carrier 122 and second carrier 124.

[0061] As used herein, the term "carrier" refers to a support structure to which a lace receiving portion can be secured, which in turn can be secured to an article of apparel or can be secured simultaneously to an article of apparel (such as an article of footwear or clothing). For example, first carrier 122 and second carrier 124 can be formed from textiles, natural fabrics, synthetic fibers, knits, woven materials, non-woven materials, meshes, leather, synthetic leather, polymers, rubber and foam, or any other suitable apparel material, and any combination thereof. The carrier can be flexible, rigid, or semi-rigid (i.e., a stiff and firm material, but not inflexible). In addition, the carrier can include one or more layers of material (the same material or different materials), as well as one or more coatings or films applied to one or more surfaces of the carrier.

[0062] like Figure 1 As shown, first lace receiving portion 114 can be secured to first carrier 122 to provide a first plurality of annular holes 126, and second lace receiving portion 118 can be secured to second carrier 124 to provide a second plurality of annular holes 128. First carrier 122 and second carrier 124 are spaced apart to provide a lace gap 130 therebetween, with first carrier 122 on a first side 132 and second carrier 124 on a second side 134.

[0063] As used herein, the term "annular aperture" refers to any closed structure that forms an aperture (or lace receiving channel) that can receive a lace associated with a lacing system, wherein the closed structure is at least partially formed by a lace receiving portion of a lacing element. In some embodiments, the aperture can be defined by a combination of a portion of a corresponding carrier and a lace receiving portion.

[0064] When formed with a flexible strap receiving portion of a strap element, the shape of the "annular hole" can change depending on the amount of tension applied to the annular hole by the strap element. Alternatively, the strap receiving portion of the strap element can be formed from a rigid material. For example, the strap receiving portion can include a different material than the flexible strap portion of the strap element, or the flexible material of the strap element can be coated and / or covered by a rigid material in the strap receiving portion of the strap element. When formed from a rigid material, the shape of the annular hole is generally fixed and can be any desired shape (e.g., flat, curved, angled).

[0065] exist Figure 1In the illustrated embodiment, carriers 122, 124 are elongated strips of material extending along a length 136. Length 136 can vary depending on the number of annular holes desired on each side. Thus, for example, a shorter length may be suitable for a smaller number of hole pairs (e.g., 2 pairs to 6 pairs), while a longer length may be suitable for a larger number of hole pairs (e.g., 7 pairs to 20 pairs). In some embodiments, the number of lacing hole pairs can be greater than 2, such as 2 pairs to 20 pairs, or 2 pairs to 10 pairs, or 4 pairs to 8 pairs.

[0066] The shapes of the carriers 122, 124 may also vary. Figure 1 A rectangular shape is illustrated, but any other shape that can receive the lace receiving portion or at least a portion of the lace receiving portion thereon may be suitable for securing the lace receiving portion.

[0067] like Figure 1 As shown, the lacing portions 116, 120 can engage with the annular holes 126, 128 to establish a closure mechanism for the lacing system 100. In particular, each of the lacing portions 116, 118 can extend back and forth (e.g., in a lateral direction) across the lacing gap 130 to engage with one or both of the first plurality of annular holes 126 on the first side 132 and the second plurality of annular holes 128 on the second side 134.

[0068] exist Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, the first lacing portion 116 extends from the distal end (i.e., the front) of the first carrier 122 in a lateral direction to engage with one of the second plurality of annular holes 128, extends back in the lateral direction to engage with one of the first plurality of annular holes 126, and extends back in the lateral direction again to engage with one of the second plurality of annular holes 128, etc. Similarly, the second lacing portion 120 extends from the distal end (e.g., toward the front) of the second carrier 124 in a lateral direction to engage with one of the first plurality of annular holes 126, extends back in the lateral direction to engage with one of the second plurality of annular holes 128, and so on. After the first and second tie portions 116, 120 are engaged with the last desired one of the corresponding first and second plurality of annular holes 126, 128 on the first and second carriers 122, 124 (e.g., toward the rear), the first and second ends 108, 112 can be manipulated to tie the remainder of the first and second tie portions 116, 120 together in any desired conventional tying manner.

[0069] The tether receiving portions 114, 118 may be secured to the respective carriers 122, 124 by any suitable means that results in the two components being fixedly attached. Figure 1In the illustrated embodiment, the lace receiving portions 114, 118 are secured to the carriers 122, 124 by one or more stitches 138 extending along the length 136 of the carriers 122, 124. In addition or in the alternative, the lace receiving portions 114, 118 may be secured to the carriers 122, 124 by any other suitable means, such as by permanent adhesive, rivets, staples, welding, or heat bonding.

[0070] Figure 2 Illustrated are first lacing element 102 and first carrier 122 secured to article of footwear 140 (for convenience, second lacing element 104 and second carrier 124 are not shown). Figure 3 Lacing system 100 is shown secured to article of footwear 140. As with the attachment of lace receiving portions 114, 118, the lacing system may be fixedly attached to the article of footwear in any suitable manner, including stitching, permanent adhesive, rivets, staples, welding, or heat bonding.

[0071] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, article of footwear 140 may include upper 142 and sole structure 144. Generally, upper 142 may be any type of upper. In particular, upper 142 may have any design, shape, size, and / or color. For example, in an embodiment where article of footwear 140 is a basketball shoe, upper 142 may be a high-top upper shaped to provide high support on the ankle. In an embodiment where article 140 is a running shoe, upper 142 may be a high-top upper shaped to provide high support on the ankle. Figure 2 Low-top upper shown.

[0072] The upper 142 may include one or more material elements (e.g., mesh, textile, foam, leather, and synthetic leather) that may be joined to define an interior cavity configured to receive the wearer's foot. The material elements may be selected and arranged to impart properties such as lightness, durability, breathability, wear resistance, flexibility, and comfort. The upper 142 may define an opening 146 (i.e., an ankle opening) through which the wearer's foot may be received into the interior cavity.

[0073] Lacing system 100 may allow article of footwear 140 to move between an extended, relaxed, unsecured, or open state (in which a user's foot may be inserted into or removed from a foot-receiving cavity of article 140) and a contracted, secured, closed, or tightened state (in which a user's foot is secured within the foot-receiving cavity by lacing system 100). The lacing systems described herein may also be referred to as tensioning systems or fastening systems because the tensioning systems or fastening systems are configured to tighten an upper around a foot received in the foot-receiving cavity.

[0074] In some embodiments, the article of footwear may include a tongue 148 that is generally disposed beneath and between portions of upper 142 that include lacing receiving portions 114 , 118 of lacing system 100 , such that lacing gap 130 generally extends above tongue 148 .

[0075] Figure 1 and Figure 3 A symmetrical relationship between the opposing annular holes 126, 128 is illustrated. That is, for each annular hole in the first plurality of annular holes 126, there is an opposing aligned one annular hole in the second plurality of annular holes 128. However, in other embodiments, the opposing annular holes need not be aligned in a symmetrical manner. Thus, for example, one or more of the first plurality of annular holes 126 may be linearly offset from a corresponding annular hole in the second plurality of annular holes 128.

[0076] Figure 4 Another embodiment of the lacing system 100 is shown. In this embodiment, the structure of the lacing system 100 is inverted so that Figure 1 The carriers 122, 124 shown in FIG. 1 are flipped over and shown with the strap receiving portions 114, 118 underneath their respective carriers 122, 124. For convenience, Figure 4 Use with Figure 1 Same numerical convention; however, it should be understood that the first side 132 and the second side 134 are now reversed. Thus, for example, Figure 5 As shown, when attached to an article of footwear 140, first side 132 is on the medial side of the article and second side 134 is on the lateral side of the article. Figure 3 The positions of each side of the article of footwear 140 shown in FIG. Figure 3 In the embodiment, the first side 132 is on the outer side of the article and the second side 134 is on the inner side of the article. Figure 3 and Figure 5 For the corresponding article of footwear for the other foot shown, the positions of first side 132 and second side 134 will also vary.

[0077] therefore, Figure 5 The embodiment is different from Figure 2 , because when lacing system 100 is fixedly attached to article of footwear 140, carriers 122, 124 cover at least a portion of respective lacing receiving portions 114, 118.

[0078] Figure 6 and Figure 7 Another embodiment of lacing system 200 is illustrated in which lacing receiving portions 214, 218 are not secured to a carrier, but are instead secured directly to article of footwear 240. For convenience, Figure 6 and Figure 7 Similar reference characters in Figure 2 and Figure 3 Similar components are marked in FIG.

[0079] Figure 6 Illustrated is first lacing element 202 secured to article of footwear 240 (shown without second lacing element 204 for convenience). Figure 7 Lacing system 200 is illustrated secured to article of footwear 240. Article of footwear 240 includes upper 242 and sole structure 244.

[0080] like Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, first lacing receiving portion 214 of first lacing element 202 can be directly fixed to upper 242, and as shown in FIG. Figure 7 As shown, second lacing receiving portion 218 of second lacing element 204 may be secured directly to upper 242 .

[0081] As in the previous embodiments, the first plurality of annular holes 226 and the second plurality of annular holes 228 are formed by the first lacing receiving portion 214 and the second lacing receiving portion 218, and the first lacing portion 216 and the second lacing portion 220 can interact and engage with the annular holes of the lacing system 200 to open the lacing system (e.g., by reducing the tension in the lacing portions) and close the lacing system (e.g., by increasing the tension in the lacing portions), as described herein.

[0082] As discussed above, Figure 6 and Figure 7 The lace receiving portions 214, 218 are illustrated as being fixedly attached to the upper, such as by one or more stitches 238 extending across a portion of the upper 242 along the lace receiving portion length 236. In addition or in the alternative, the lace receiving portions 214, 218 may be directly secured to the upper by other suitable means, such as by permanent adhesive, rivets, staples, welding, or heat bonding.

[0083] Functionally, lacing systems 100 and 200 operate in the same general manner. By applying tension to ends 208, 212 of lacing elements 202, 204, lacing portions 216, 220 engage annular apertures 226, 228 and lacing gap 230 decreases, causing the lacing system to move to a closed position.

[0084] Figure 8Another embodiment is illustrated in which lace receiving portion 314 of lacing system 300 is configured to engage with an additional structural component of article of footwear 340. In particular, lace receiving portion 314 may be secured to carrier 324, which in turn is secured to upper 342. However, in addition to providing first plurality of apertures 326, lace receiving portion 314 includes an engagement area on a side of carrier 324 opposite to the side of annular aperture 326.

[0085] For example, Figure 8 As shown, lace receiving portion 314 may include one or more engagement areas that are configured to receive and / or engage one or more strands extending from a lower region of article of footwear 340. Figure 8 , the engagement area includes a plurality of lower annular apertures 348 that may engage with one or more strands 350 that extend alternately toward and away from the sole structure 344 .

[0086] During walking, running or other activities, the movement of the foot in the footwear article 340 may cause the upper 342 to stretch. In addition, the tension applied by the lacing system 300 may cause the upper 342 to stretch. The engagement of one or more strands 350 with the lower annular hole 348 can help resist the stretching of the upper 342. Although the strands 350 can also stretch, the strands 350 are generally stretched to a smaller degree than other material elements forming the upper 342. Therefore, each of the strands 350 can be positioned to form a structural component in the upper 342 to resist the stretching in a specific direction or to enhance the position of force concentration. In some embodiments, a single strand 350 can extend multiple lower annular holes and engage with multiple lower annular holes. In other embodiments, multiple strands can be used, wherein each strand is fixed to the footwear article at at least two positions. (One or more) strands can be fixed to the footwear article 340 at any suitable position (such as at the junction of the upper 342 and the sole structure 344).

[0087] exist Figure 8 The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 illustrates the same Figure 5 A vector similar to the one shown and described; however, it should be understood that Figure 8 The joining area shown in the figure can be formed with any other lacing system described herein. For example, if desired, lacing system 200 ( Figure 6 ) can also be exposed by Figure 8 The lace receiving portion 214 is secured to the upper 242 in a manner similar to the lower annular hole shown in FIG. 2 (e.g., stitching) to form a lower annular hole.

[0088] Fig. 9Still another embodiment of a lacing system 400 is illustrated as being applied to an article of footwear 440. Fig. 9 4, at least a portion of lacing system 400 (such as a portion of a lacing receiving portion and / or a corresponding carrier, if provided) is covered by an outer surface of upper 442 and / or a cover layer extending over some or all of upper 442. Specifically, upper 442 and / or the cover layer may have apertures 452 through which a plurality of annular apertures 426 extend and are exposed for engagement with a lacing portion, as described elsewhere herein.

[0089] like Fig. 9 As shown, lacing system 400 is partially covered by the covering portion of upper 442. However, it should be understood that any lacing system described herein may be used. For example, lacing system 400 may be a lacing system having a carrier (e.g., Figure 1-Figure 5 ), a lacing system without a carrier (e.g. Figure 6-Figure 7 ), and / or a lacing system having an engagement area for receiving and engaging one or more strands (e.g., Figure 8 ).

[0090] For convenience, Figure 8 and Fig. 9 Only one of the lacing elements of the lacing system is illustrated. However, it should be understood that the second lacing element can be a mirror image of the first lacing element, and the arrangement and interaction of the two lacing elements can be the same as described in other embodiments herein.

[0091] Further aspects of the disclosure are provided by the subject matter of the following clauses:

[0092] 1. A lacing system for an article of clothing, comprising:

[0093] A first strap element having an elongated structure extending continuously between a first end and a second end, the first strap element having a first strap receiving portion and a first strap portion; a second strap element having an elongated structure extending continuously between a first end and a second end, the second strap element having a second strap receiving portion and a second strap portion; a first carrier, the first strap receiving portion of the first strap element being fixedly attached to the first carrier; and a second carrier, the second strap receiving portion of the second strap element being fixedly attached to the second carrier, the second carrier being separated from the first carrier by a strap gap; wherein the first strap receiving portion forms a first plurality of annular holes, and the second strap receiving portion forms a second plurality of annular holes, and wherein the first strap portion engages with corresponding annular holes in the first plurality of annular holes and corresponding annular holes in the second plurality of annular holes, and the second strap portion engages with corresponding annular holes in the first plurality of annular holes and corresponding annular holes in the second plurality of annular holes.

[0094] 2. A lacing system according to claim 1, wherein the first plurality of annular holes and the second plurality of annular holes form a plurality of pairs of annular holes.

[0095] 3. A lacing system according to claim 2, wherein the lacing system has at least two pairs of annular holes.

[0096] 4. A lacing system according to claim 2, wherein the lacing system has two to ten pairs of annular holes.

[0097] 5. A lacing system according to any one of clauses 2-4, wherein the multiple pairs of annular holes are symmetrically aligned along the length of the lacing system.

[0098] 6. A lacing system according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the first carrier is an elongated strip of material extending along a first side of the lacing gap, and the second carrier is an elongated strip of material extending along a second side of the lacing gap.

[0099] 7. A lacing system according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the first carrier and the second carrier have a rectangular shape.

[0100] 8. A lacing system according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the first lacing receiving portion is sewn to the first carrier and the second lacing receiving portion is sewn to the second carrier.

[0101] 9. A lacing system according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the first lacing receiving portion is adhesively bonded to the first carrier and the second lacing receiving portion is adhesively bonded to the second carrier.

[0102] 10. The lacing system of any of the preceding clauses, further comprising an article of apparel, wherein the first carrier and the second carrier are secured to an outer surface of the article of apparel.

[0103] 11. A lacing system according to claim 10, wherein the first carrier has a first top surface and a first bottom surface, and the first lacing receiving portion is fixed to the first top surface of the first carrier, the second carrier has a second top surface and a second bottom surface, and the second lacing receiving portion is fixed to the second top surface of the second carrier, and the first bottom surface and the second bottom surface face the outer surface of the clothing article.

[0104] 12. A lacing system according to claim 10, wherein the first carrier has a first top surface and a first bottom surface, and the first lacing receiving portion is fixed to the first bottom surface of the first carrier, the second carrier has a second top surface and a second bottom surface, and the second lacing receiving portion is fixed to the second bottom surface of the second carrier, and the first bottom surface and the second bottom surface face the outer surface of the clothing article.

[0105] 13. A lacing system according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the article of apparel is an article of footwear.

[0106] 14. A lacing system according to claim 13, wherein the first lacing receiving portion forms a first plurality of lower annular holes and the second lacing receiving portion forms a second plurality of lower annular holes, and the first plurality of lower annular holes and the second plurality of lower annular holes are configured to engage with one or more strands extending from the sole structure of the footwear article.

[0107] 15. A lacing system according to clause 13 or 14, wherein at least a portion of the first lacing receiving portion and at least a portion of the second lacing receiving portion are covered by an exterior portion of an upper of the footwear article.

[0108] 16. A lacing system according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the first end of the first lacing element is a first starting end, the second end of the first lacing element is a first end, the first end of the second lacing element is a second starting end, and the second end of the second lacing element is a second end, wherein the first lacing receiving portion extends from the first starting end of the first lacing element to the first middle portion of the first lacing element, and the first lacing portion extends from the first middle portion of the first lacing element to the first end of the first lacing element, and the second lacing receiving portion extends from the second starting end of the second lacing element to the second middle portion of the second lacing element, and the second lacing portion extends from the second middle portion of the second lacing element to the second end of the second lacing element.

[0109] 17. A clothing article, comprising: an opening in the clothing article; a first continuous lacing element having a first lacing receiving portion and a first lacing portion, the first lacing receiving portion being fixed to a first side of the opening in the clothing article; and a second continuous lacing element having a second lacing receiving portion and a second lacing portion, the second lacing receiving portion being fixed to a second side of the opening in the clothing article; wherein the first lacing receiving portion forms a first plurality of annular holes extending toward the second side, and the second lacing receiving portion forms a second plurality of annular holes extending toward the first side, and the first lacing portion engages with corresponding annular holes in the first plurality of annular holes and corresponding annular holes in the second plurality of annular holes, and the second lacing portion engages with corresponding annular holes in the first plurality of annular holes and corresponding annular holes in the second plurality of annular holes.

[0110] 18. The article of apparel of clause 17, wherein the article of apparel is an article of footwear and the opening is an opening in an upper of the article of footwear.

[0111] 19. The article of apparel according to any of clauses 17-18, wherein the first and second strap receiving portions are secured directly to an outer surface of the article of apparel.

[0112] 20. An article of apparel according to any of clauses 17-18, wherein the first strap receiving portion is secured to a first carrier and the second strap receiving portion is secured to a second carrier, and the first carrier and the second carrier are secured to an outer surface of the article of apparel.

[0113] 21. The article of apparel according to any of clauses 17-20, wherein the first and second plurality of annular apertures form a plurality of pairs of annular apertures extending along the first and second sides of the opening.

[0114] 22. The article of apparel of clause 21, wherein the plurality of pairs of annular apertures are symmetrically aligned and the plurality of pairs of annular apertures range in number from two to ten pairs.

[0115] 23. The article of apparel of clause 20, wherein the first carrier and the second carrier comprise elongated strips of material.

[0116] 24. An article of clothing according to claim 20 or 23, wherein the first carrier has a first top surface and a first bottom surface and the first strap receiving portion is secured to the first top surface of the first carrier, the second carrier has a second top surface and a second bottom surface and the second strap receiving portion is secured to the second top surface of the second carrier, and the first bottom surface and the second bottom surface face the outer surface of the article of clothing.

[0117] 25. An article of clothing according to claim 20 or 23, wherein the first carrier has a first top surface and a first bottom surface and the first strap receiving portion is secured to the first bottom surface of the first carrier, the second carrier has a second top surface and a second bottom surface and the second strap receiving portion is secured to the second bottom surface of the second carrier, and the first bottom surface and the second bottom surface face the outer surface of the article of clothing.

[0118] 26. An article of apparel according to claim 18, wherein the first lace receiving portion forms a first plurality of lower annular holes and the second lace receiving portion forms a second plurality of lower annular holes, and the first plurality of lower annular holes and the second plurality of lower annular holes are configured to engage with one or more strands extending from a sole structure of the footwear article.

[0119] 27. A method for manufacturing a clothing article, comprising: fixing a first strap receiving portion of a first continuous strap element to a first side of an opening in the clothing article, the first strap receiving portion forming a first plurality of annular holes; fixing a second strap receiving portion of a second continuous strap element to a second side of the opening in the clothing article, the second strap receiving portion forming a second plurality of annular holes; engaging the first strap portion of the first continuous strap element with corresponding annular holes in the first plurality of annular holes and corresponding annular holes in the second plurality of annular holes, so that the first strap portion extends laterally across the opening along at least a portion of the length of the opening; and engaging the second strap portion of the second continuous strap element with corresponding annular holes in the first plurality of annular holes and corresponding annular holes in the second plurality of annular holes, so that the second strap portion extends laterally across the opening along at least a portion of the length of the opening.

[0120] 28. The method of clause 27, wherein the article of apparel is an article of footwear and the opening is an opening in an upper of the article of footwear.

[0121] 29. The method of any of clauses 27-28, wherein the first and second strap receiving portions are secured directly to an outer surface of the article of apparel.

[0122] 30. A method according to any of clauses 27-28, wherein the first strap receiving portion is secured to a first carrier and the second strap receiving portion is secured to a second carrier, and the first carrier and the second carrier are secured to an outer surface of the article of apparel.

[0123] 31. The method of any of clauses 27-30, wherein the first and second plurality of annular holes form a plurality of pairs of annular holes extending along the first and second sides of the opening.

[0124] 32. The method of clause 31, wherein the plurality of pairs of annular holes are symmetrically aligned and the number of the plurality of pairs of annular holes ranges from two pairs to ten pairs.

[0125] 33. The method of clause 30, wherein the first carrier and the second carrier comprise elongated strips of material.

[0126] 34. A method according to clause 30 or 33, wherein the first carrier has a first top surface and a first bottom surface and the first strap receiving portion is fixed to the first top surface of the first carrier, the second carrier has a second top surface and a second bottom surface and the second strap receiving portion is fixed to the second top surface of the second carrier, and the first bottom surface and the second bottom surface face the outer surface of the clothing article.

[0127] 35. A method according to clause 30 or 33, wherein the first carrier has a first top surface and a first bottom surface and the first strap receiving portion is fixed to the first bottom surface of the first carrier, the second carrier has a second top surface and a second bottom surface and the second strap receiving portion is fixed to the second bottom surface of the second carrier, and the first bottom surface and the second bottom surface face the outer surface of the clothing article.

[0128] 36. A method according to clause 28, wherein the first lace receiving portion forms a first plurality of lower annular holes and the second lace receiving portion forms a second plurality of lower annular holes, and the first plurality of lower annular holes and the second plurality of lower annular holes are configured to engage with one or more strands extending from the sole structure of the footwear article.

[0129] 37. A method according to any of clauses 28-36, wherein at least a portion of the first lace receiving portion and at least a portion of the second lace receiving portion are covered by an exterior portion of an upper of the article of footwear.

[0130] 38. A method according to any one of clauses 28-37, wherein the first lacing receiving portion extends from the first starting end of the first continuous lacing element to the first middle portion of the first continuous lacing element, and the first lacing portion extends from the first middle portion of the first continuous lacing element to the first end of the first continuous lacing element, and the second lacing receiving portion extends from the second starting end of the second continuous lacing element to the second middle portion of the second continuous lacing element, and the second lacing portion extends from the second middle portion of the second continuous lacing element to the second end of the second continuous lacing element.

[0131] 39. A method for forming a lacing system for attaching to an article of clothing, comprising: fixing a first lacing receiving portion of a first continuous lacing element to a first carrier, the first lacing receiving portion forming a first plurality of annular holes; and fixing a second lacing receiving portion of a second continuous lacing element to a second carrier, the second lacing receiving portion forming a second plurality of annular holes; wherein the first continuous lacing element includes a first lacing portion, the first lacing portion extending away from the first carrier to engage with corresponding annular holes in the first plurality of annular holes and corresponding annular holes in the second plurality of annular holes, so that the first lacing portion can extend laterally across a lacing gap between the first carrier and the second carrier, and wherein the second continuous lacing element includes a second lacing portion, the second lacing portion extending away from the second carrier to engage with corresponding annular holes in the first plurality of annular holes and corresponding annular holes in the second plurality of annular holes, so that the second lacing portion can extend laterally across the lacing gap between the first carrier and the second carrier.

[0132] 40. The method of clause 39, wherein the first plurality of annular holes and the second plurality of annular holes form a plurality of pairs of annular holes.

[0133] 41. A method according to clause 40, wherein the lacing system has two to ten pairs of annular holes.

[0134] 42. A method according to any of clauses 40-41, wherein the multiple pairs of annular holes are symmetrically aligned along the length of the lacing system.

[0135] 43. A method according to any of clauses 39-42, wherein the first carrier is an elongated strip of material extending along a first side of the lacing gap, and the second carrier is an elongated strip of material extending along a second side of the lacing gap.

[0136] 44. A method according to any of clauses 39-43, wherein the first carrier and the second carrier both have a rectangular shape.

[0137] 45. A method according to any of clauses 39-43, wherein the first tether receiving portion is sewn to the first carrier and the second tether receiving portion is sewn to the second carrier.

[0138] 46. ​​A method according to any of clauses 39-43, wherein the first tether receiving portion is adhesively bonded to the first carrier and the second tether receiving portion is adhesively bonded to the second carrier.

[0139] In view of the many possible embodiments to which the principles of the disclosed invention may be applied, it should be appreciated that the illustrated embodiments are merely preferred examples of the invention and should not be considered to limit the scope of the invention. Rather, the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims. Therefore, we claim that all that fall within the scope and spirit of these claims are our invention.

Claims

1. A lacing system for an article of clothing, comprising: a first lacing element having an elongated structure extending continuously between a first starting end and a first terminal end, the first lacing element having a first lacing receiving portion and a first lacing portion; a second lacing element having an elongated structure extending continuously between a second starting end and a second terminal end, the second lacing element having a second lacing receiving portion and a second lacing portion; a first carrier to which the first strap receiving portion of the first strap element is fixedly attached; as well as a second carrier to which the second strap receiving portion of the second strap element is fixedly attached, the second carrier being spaced apart from the first carrier by a strap gap; wherein the first lace receiving portion forms a first plurality of annular apertures and the second lace receiving portion forms a second plurality of annular apertures, and Wherein the first lacing portion is engaged with corresponding annular holes in the first plurality of annular holes and corresponding annular holes in the second plurality of annular holes, and the second lacing portion is engaged with corresponding annular holes in the first plurality of annular holes and corresponding annular holes in the second plurality of annular holes.

2. The lacing system according to claim 1, wherein the first plurality of annular holes and the second plurality of annular holes form a plurality of pairs of annular holes.

3. A lacing system according to claim 2, wherein the lacing system has at least two pairs of annular holes.

4. The lacing system of claim 2, wherein the lacing system has two to ten pairs of annular holes.

5. A lacing system according to any one of claims 2-4, wherein the multiple pairs of annular holes are symmetrically aligned along the length of the lacing system.

6. A lacing system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first carrier is an elongated strip of material extending along a first side of the lacing gap, and the second carrier is an elongated strip of material extending along a second side of the lacing gap.

7. A lacing system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first carrier and the second carrier have a rectangular shape.

8. A lacing system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first lacing receiving portion is sewn to the first carrier and the second lacing receiving portion is sewn to the second carrier.

9. A lacing system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first lacing receiving portion is adhesively bonded to the first carrier and the second lacing receiving portion is adhesively bonded to the second carrier.

10. The lacing system of any of the preceding claims, further comprising an article of apparel, wherein the first carrier and the second carrier are secured to an outer surface of the article of apparel.

11. The lacing system of claim 10, wherein the first carrier has a first top surface and a first bottom surface, and the first lacing receiving portion is secured to the first top surface of the first carrier, The second carrier has a second top surface and a second bottom surface, and the second tether receiving portion is secured to the second top surface of the second carrier, and The first bottom surface and the second bottom surface face the exterior surface of the article of apparel.

12. The lacing system of claim 10, wherein the first carrier has a first top surface and a first bottom surface, and the first lacing receiving portion is secured to the first bottom surface of the first carrier, The second carrier has a second top surface and a second bottom surface, and the second tether receiving portion is secured to the second bottom surface of the second carrier, and The first bottom surface and the second bottom surface face the exterior surface of the article of apparel.

13. A lacing system according to any one of claims 10-12, wherein the apparel article is an article of footwear.

14. A lacing system according to claim 13, wherein the first lacing receiving portion forms a first plurality of lower annular holes and the second lacing receiving portion forms a second plurality of lower annular holes, and the first plurality of lower annular holes and the second plurality of lower annular holes are configured to engage with one or more strands extending from a sole structure of the footwear article.

15. A lacing system according to claim 13 or claim 14, wherein at least a portion of the first lacing receiving portion and at least a portion of the second lacing receiving portion are covered by an exterior portion of an upper of the footwear article.

16. A lacing system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first lacing receiving portion extends from the first starting end of the first lacing element to a first middle portion of the first lacing element, and the first lacing portion extends from the first middle portion of the first lacing element to the first end of the first lacing element, and The second strap receiving portion extends from the second starting end of the second strap element to a second middle portion of the second strap element, and the second strap portion extends from the second middle portion of the second strap element to the second end of the second strap element.

17. An article of clothing comprising: an opening in said article of clothing; a first continuous strap element having a first strap receiving portion and a first strap portion, the first strap receiving portion being secured to a first side of the opening in the article of apparel; as well as a second continuous tie element having a second tie receiving portion and a second tie portion, the second tie receiving portion being secured to a second side of the opening in the article of apparel; wherein the first lace receiving portion defines a first plurality of annular apertures extending toward the second side, and the second lace receiving portion defines a second plurality of annular apertures extending toward the first side, and The first lacing portion engages with corresponding annular holes in the first plurality of annular holes and corresponding annular holes in the second plurality of annular holes, and the second lacing portion engages with corresponding annular holes in the first plurality of annular holes and corresponding annular holes in the second plurality of annular holes.

18. The article of apparel according to claim 17, wherein the article of apparel is an article of footwear and the opening is an opening in an upper of the article of footwear.

19. The article of apparel according to claim 17 or claim 18, wherein the first and second strap receiving portions are secured directly to an outer surface of the article of apparel.

20. The article of apparel according to claim 17 or claim 18, wherein the first strap receiving portion is secured to a first carrier and the second strap receiving portion is secured to a second carrier, and The first carrier and the second carrier are secured to an outer surface of the article of apparel.

21. The article of apparel recited in any one of claims 17-20, wherein the first and second plurality of annular apertures form a plurality of pairs of annular apertures extending along the first and second sides of the opening.

22. The article of apparel recited in claim 21, wherein the pairs of annular apertures are symmetrically aligned and the number of the pairs of annular apertures ranges from two to ten pairs.

23. The article of apparel recited in claim 20, wherein the first carrier and the second carrier comprise elongated strips of material.

24. An article of clothing according to claim 20 or claim 23, wherein the first carrier has a first top surface and a first bottom surface and the first strap receiving portion is secured to the first top surface of the first carrier, the second carrier has a second top surface and a second bottom surface and the second strap receiving portion is secured to the second top surface of the second carrier, and the first bottom surface and the second bottom surface face the outer surface of the article of clothing.

25. An article of clothing according to claim 20 or claim 23, wherein the first carrier has a first top surface and a first bottom surface and the first strap receiving portion is secured to the first bottom surface of the first carrier, the second carrier has a second top surface and a second bottom surface and the second strap receiving portion is secured to the second bottom surface of the second carrier, and the first bottom surface and the second bottom surface face the outer surface of the article of clothing.

26. An article of apparel according to claim 18, wherein the first lace receiving portion forms a first plurality of lower annular holes and the second lace receiving portion forms a second plurality of lower annular holes, and the first plurality of lower annular holes and the second plurality of lower annular holes are configured to engage with one or more strands extending from a sole structure of the footwear article.

27. A method of making an article of apparel, comprising: securing a first strap receiving portion of a first continuous strap element to a first side of an opening in the article of apparel, the first strap receiving portion forming a first plurality of annular apertures; securing a second strap receiving portion of a second continuous strap element to a second side of the opening in the article of apparel, the second strap receiving portion forming a second plurality of annular apertures; engaging a first lacing portion of the first continuous lacing element with a corresponding annular aperture of the first plurality of annular apertures and a corresponding annular aperture of the second plurality of annular apertures such that the first lacing portion extends laterally across the opening along at least a portion of the length of the opening; And engaging the second lacing portion of the second continuous lacing element with corresponding annular holes in the first plurality of annular holes and corresponding annular holes in the second plurality of annular holes so that the second lacing portion extends laterally across the opening along at least a portion of the length of the opening.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the article of apparel is an article of footwear and the opening is an opening in an upper of the article of footwear.

29. A method according to claim 27 or claim 28, wherein the first and second strap receiving portions are secured directly to an outer surface of the article of apparel.

30. A method according to claim 27 or claim 28, wherein the first strap receiving portion is secured to a first carrier and the second strap receiving portion is secured to a second carrier, and the first carrier and the second carrier are secured to an outer surface of the clothing article.

31. The method of any one of claims 27-30, wherein the first plurality of annular holes and the second plurality of annular holes form a plurality of pairs of annular holes extending along the first side and the second side of the opening.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the plurality of pairs of annular holes are symmetrically aligned, and the number of the plurality of pairs of annular holes ranges from two pairs to ten pairs.

33. The method of claim 30, wherein the first carrier and the second carrier comprise elongated strips of material.

34. A method according to claim 30 or claim 33, wherein the first carrier has a first top surface and a first bottom surface, and the first strap receiving portion is fixed to the first top surface of the first carrier, the second carrier has a second top surface and a second bottom surface, and the second strap receiving portion is fixed to the second top surface of the second carrier, and the first bottom surface and the second bottom surface face the outer surface of the clothing article.

35. A method according to claim 30 or claim 33, wherein the first carrier has a first top surface and a first bottom surface and the first strap receiving portion is fixed to the first bottom surface of the first carrier, the second carrier has a second top surface and a second bottom surface and the second strap receiving portion is fixed to the second bottom surface of the second carrier, and the first bottom surface and the second bottom surface face the outer surface of the clothing article.

36. A method according to claim 28, wherein the first lace receiving portion forms a first plurality of lower annular holes and the second lace receiving portion forms a second plurality of lower annular holes, and the first plurality of lower annular holes and the second plurality of lower annular holes are configured to engage with one or more strands extending from the sole structure of the footwear article.

37. A method according to claim 28 or 36, wherein at least a portion of the first lace receiving portion and at least a portion of the second lace receiving portion are covered by an exterior portion of an upper of the footwear article.

38. A method according to any one of claims 27-37, wherein the first lacing receiving portion extends from the first starting end of the first continuous lacing element to the first middle portion of the first continuous lacing element, and the first lacing portion extends from the first middle portion of the first continuous lacing element to the first end of the first continuous lacing element, and the second lacing receiving portion extends from the second starting end of the second continuous lacing element to the second middle portion of the second continuous lacing element, and the second lacing portion extends from the second middle portion of the second continuous lacing element to the second end of the second continuous lacing element.

39. A method of forming a lacing system for attachment to an article of apparel, comprising: securing a first strap receiving portion of a first continuous strap element to a first carrier, said first strap receiving portion forming a first plurality of annular apertures; and securing a second strap receiving portion of a second continuous strap element to the second carrier, the second strap receiving portion forming a second plurality of annular apertures; wherein the first continuous lacing element includes a first lacing portion, which extends away from the first carrier to engage with corresponding annular holes in the first plurality of annular holes and corresponding annular holes in the second plurality of annular holes, so that the first lacing portion can extend laterally across the lacing gap between the first carrier and the second carrier, and wherein the second continuous lacing element includes a second lacing portion, which extends away from the second carrier to engage with corresponding annular holes in the first plurality of annular holes and corresponding annular holes in the second plurality of annular holes, so that the second lacing portion can extend laterally across the lacing gap between the first carrier and the second carrier.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein the first plurality of annular holes and the second plurality of annular holes form a plurality of pairs of annular holes.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein the lacing system has two to ten pairs of annular holes.

42. A method according to claim 40 or claim 41, wherein the multiple pairs of annular holes are symmetrically aligned along the length of the lacing system.

43. A method according to any one of claims 39-42, wherein the first carrier is an elongated strip of material extending along a first side of the lace gap, and the second carrier is an elongated strip of material extending along a second side of the lace gap.

44. The method of any one of claims 39-43, wherein both the first carrier and the second carrier have a rectangular shape.

45. A method according to any one of claims 39-44, wherein the first lace receiving portion is sewn to the first carrier and the second lace receiving portion is sewn to the second carrier.

46. ​​A method according to any one of claims 39-45, wherein the first lace receiving portion is adhesively bonded to the first carrier and the second lace receiving portion is adhesively bonded to the second carrier.

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