Abstract:
Universal shoe fastening systems in accordance with embodiments of the invention are provided. In one embodiment, a shoe fastening system for a shoe includes an anchoring strap-clip configured to attach to a first pair of eyelets of the shoe, an adjustment strap-clip configured to attach to a second pair of eyelets of the shoe, and a strap closure that includes an anchoring end portion configured to attach the anchoring strap-clip, an adjustable end portion configured to traverse under a bar region of the adjustment strap-clip that allows for the shoe to be fasten, and a fastening portion configured to connect the anchoring end portion with the adjustable end portion.

Description:
1. CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This current application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/279,304 filed Jan. 15, 2016, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    2. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention is in the technical field of footwear, and pertains more particularly to a system for replacing show laces with strap fasteners and clip elements. 
         [0004]    3. Background 
         [0005]    Shoes with eyelets utilizing shoe laces are well-known in the art. Shoe laces are known to be somewhat difficult to engage in eyelets of shoes to lace and tie the shoes, and tying the shoes with laces is known to be a tedious experience. What is clearly needed is a system to replace shoe laces with strap fasteners while using the existing eyelets in a variety of shoes. 
       4. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    Systems and methods for universal shoe fastening in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. In one embodiment, a shoe fastening system for a shoe includes an anchoring strap-clip configured to attach to a first pair of eyelets of the shoe that includes two parallel regions configured to be positioned inside the shoe under the first pair of eyelets, a bar region configured to traverse the first pair of eyelets on the outside of the shoe, and two curved regions connecting the parallel regions to the bar region, where the two curved regions traverse through the first pair of eyelets; an adjustment strap-clip configured to attach to a second pair of eyelets of the shoe that includes two parallel regions configured to be positioned inside the shoe under the second pair of eyelets, a bar region configured to traverse the second pair of eyelets on the outside of the shoe, and two curved regions connecting the parallel regions to the bar region, where the two curved regions traverse through the second pair of eyelets; and a strap closure that includes an anchoring end portion configured to attach to the bar region of the anchoring strap-clip, an adjustable end portion configured to traverse under the bar region of the adjustment strap-clip that allows for the shoe to be fasten, and a fastening portion configured to connect the anchoring end portion with the adjustable end portion. 
         [0007]    In a further embodiment, the adjustment strap-clip further includes a second bar region configured to traverse the second pair of eyelets on the outside of the shoe that is parallel to the bar region. 
         [0008]    In another embodiment, the bar region is separable into a first and second split bar region. 
         [0009]    In a still further embodiment, the first split bar region includes a female threaded end and the second split bar region includes an extended male thread that engages the female threaded end. 
         [0010]    In still another embodiment, the bar region further includes an engagement portion including a left-hand female thread on one end and a right-hand female thread on the other end. 
         [0011]    In a yet further embodiment, the engagement portion has a circular profile and longitudinal raised striations on the outside surface around the circumference of the engagement portion. 
         [0012]    In yet another embodiment, the engagement portion has a hexagonal profile having six flat surfaces around the circumference of the engagement portion. 
         [0013]    In a further embodiment again, the first split bar region includes a right-hand male thread that mates with the engagement portion&#39;s right-hand female thread and the second split bar region includes a left-hand male thread that mates with the engagement portion&#39;s left-hand female thread. 
         [0014]    In another embodiment again, the anchoring strap-clip further includes a hook element for securing the anchoring strap-clip in the first pair of eyelets. 
         [0015]    In a further additional embodiment, the adjustment strap-clip further includes a hook element for securing the adjustment strap-clip in the second pair of eyelets. 
         [0016]    A further embodiment includes a shoe fastening system for a shoe includes an anchoring strap-clip configured to attach to a first pair of eyelets of the shoe that includes a bar region configured to traverse the first pair of eyelets on the outside of the shoe, two curved regions connecting the parallel regions to the bar region, where the two curved regions traverse through the first pair of eyelets, and 
         [0000]    two threaded regions extending from the two parallel regions, where the two threaded regions are configured to receive two threaded knobs to keep the anchoring strap-clip attached to the first pair of eyelets; an adjustment strap-clip configured to attach to a second pair of eyelets of the shoe that includes a bar region configured to traverse the second pair of eyelets on the outside of the shoe, two curved regions connecting the parallel regions to the bar region, where the two curved regions traverse through the second pair of eyelets, and two threaded regions extending from the two parallel regions, where the two threaded regions are configured to receive two threaded knobs to keep the adjustment strap-clip attached to the second pair of eyelets; a strap closure that includes an anchoring end portion configured to attach to the bar region of the anchoring strap-clip, an adjustable end portion configured to traverse under the bar region of the adjustment strap-clip that allows for the shoe to be fasten, and a fastening portion configured to connect the anchoring end portion with the adjustable end portion. 
         [0017]    In a still yet further embodiment, the adjustment strap-clip further includes a second bar region configured to traverse the second pair of eyelets on the outside of the shoe that is parallel to the bar region. 
         [0018]    In still yet another embodiment, the bar region is separable into a first and second split bar region. 
         [0019]    In a still further embodiment again, the first split bar region includes a female threaded end and the second split bar region includes an extended male thread that engages the female threaded end. 
         [0020]    In still another embodiment again, the bar region further includes an engagement portion with a right-hand female thread and a left-hand female thread. 
         [0021]    In a still further additional embodiment, the engagement portion has a circular profile. 
         [0022]    In still another additional embodiment, the engagement portion has a hexagonal profile. 
         [0023]    In a yet further embodiment again, the first split bar region includes a right-hand male thread that mates with the engagement portion&#39;s right-hand female thread and the second split bar region includes a left-hand male thread that mates with the engagement portion&#39;s left-hand female thread. 
         [0024]    In yet another embodiment again, the anchoring strap-clip further includes a hook element for securing the anchoring strap-clip in the first pair of eyelets. 
         [0025]    In a yet further additional embodiment, the adjustment strap-clip further includes a hook element for securing the adjustment strap-clip in the second pair of eyelets. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0026]      FIG. 1 a    is a perspective view of a pair of cloth shoes using strap-clips in the eyelets, with strap-closures, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 1 b    is a magnified view of a portion of  FIG. 1 a    showing further details of elements in an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 2 a    is a top-down view of a simplified strap-clip in an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 2 b    is a side view of the strap-clip of  FIG. 2 a   , in the direction of arrow Vb. 
           [0030]      FIG. 2 c    is an end view of the strap-clip of  FIG. 2 a    in the direction of arrow Vc. 
           [0031]      FIG. 3 a    is a top-down view of a strap-clip in an alternative embodiment of the invention. 
           [0032]      FIG. 3 b    is a side view of the strap-clip of  FIG. 3 a   , in the direction of arrow Vb. 
           [0033]      FIG. 3 c    is an end view of the strap-clip of  FIG. 3 a    in the direction of arrow Vc. 
           [0034]      FIG. 3 d    is an end view of the strap-clip of  FIG. 3 a    with two parts shown separated. 
           [0035]      FIG. 4  is a top-down view of the two sides of a lacing region of a shoe showing strap-clips engaged in lacing eyelets of a shoe. 
           [0036]      FIG. 5  is a side elevation section view of strap-clips engaged in eyelets to illustrate the positioning and leverage of different portions of a strap-clip with the eyelets and the cloth material in which the eyelets are situated. 
           [0037]      FIG. 6  is a side view of one strap-clip and eyelet of  FIG. 5  to illustrate engagement of the strap-clip with the eyelet and cloth. 
           [0038]      FIG. 7 a    illustrates a strap-clip in another embodiment of the invention, wherein the center-to-center spacing of extensions may be adjusted with the strap-clip engaged in adjacent eyelets. 
           [0039]      FIG. 7 b    illustrates the strap-clip of  FIG. 7 a   , with the various elements disengaged. 
           [0040]      FIG. 7 c    is a perspective view of the engagement portion of  FIGS. 7 a  and 7 b    in an alternative embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 7 d    is a perspective view of the engagement portion of  FIGS. 7 a  and 7 b    in another alternative embodiment of the invention. 
           [0041]      FIG. 8 a    illustrates an alternative embodiment for a strap-clip. 
           [0042]      FIG. 8 b    illustrates another alternative embodiment for a strap-clip. 
           [0043]      FIG. 8 c    illustrates another alternative embodiment for a strap-clip. 
           [0044]      FIG. 9  illustrates an embodiment of a strap-clip in the invention having a further hook element. 
           [0045]      FIG. 10 a    illustrates a strap-clip in another alternative embodiment of the invention. 
           [0046]      FIG. 10 b    is a side section view of the strap-clip of  FIG. 10   a.    
           [0047]      FIG. 10 c    is a perspective view of side-by-side eyelets with strap-clips in an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0048]      FIG. 10 d    illustrates a strap-clip in yet another embodiment of the invention. 
           [0049]      FIG. 10 e    illustrates a strap-clip in yet another embodiment of the invention. 
           [0050]      FIG. 11  is a side, partially sectioned view of a closure arrangement in an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0051]      FIG. 12 a    is a side view illustrating an alternate way to fasten a strap-closure to a strap-clip. 
           [0052]      FIG. 12 b    is a side view illustrating another alternate way to fasten a strap-closure to a strap-clip. 
           [0053]      FIG. 12 c    is a side view illustrating yet another alternate way to fasten a strap-closure to a strap-clip. 
           [0054]      FIG. 13 a    illustrates a strap-clip in yet another embodiment of the invention. 
           [0055]      FIG. 13 b    is a side section view of the strap-clip in  FIG. 13   a.    
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0056]      FIG. 1 a    is a perspective view of a pair of cloth shoes, left  102  and right  101 , using strap-clips  103  and  104  in the eyelets, with strap-closures  105 , according to an embodiment of the present invention. The fact that cloth shoes are shown is not limiting, as the invention in different embodiments is useful for any shoes that have eyelets for shoe laces. In various embodiments, the strap-clips  103  and  104  may be different where one strap-clip may be used for anchoring purposes (may also be referred to as “anchoring strap-clip”) and the other strap-clip may be used for adjusting purposes (may also be referred to as “adjusting strap-clip”). In some embodiments, the two strap-clips may be similar or identical in structure. In further embodiments, the two strap-clips may be different in structure as further described below. 
         [0057]    The shoes shown in this example have four lace-eyelets on each side of each shoe over a tongue. The eyelets are typically used for conventional laces, which have to be threaded through the eyelets from the bottom up. In use one must tie and untie the laces to put the shoes on or take them off. 
         [0058]      FIG. 1 b    is a somewhat magnified view of a portion of  FIG. 1 a   , showing just the elements of the left shoe  102 . In this magnified view it may be seen that the strap-closures  105  are anchored at one end to strap-clips  103 , and pass under a bar of strap-clips  104 . The strap-closures may then be pulled tight and pressed back over the anchored portion, to which they connect by hook-and-eye cloth, such as Velcro™ pads  106 . Each strap-clip engages two eyelets on one side, so two strap-clips on each side and two strap-closures are sufficient. In this implementation two quick pulls undo the closure, and two simple pulls and folds reclose the straps. This is seen to be much simpler than shoelaces. 
         [0059]      FIG. 2 a    is a top-down view of a simplified strap-clip  200  in an embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 2 b    is a side view of the strap-clip of  FIG. 2 a   , in the direction of arrow Vb.  FIG. 2 c    is an end view of the strap-clip of  FIG. 2 a    in the direction of arrow Vc. Strap-clip  200  in  FIG. 2 a    comprises a bar region  201  that in this example is formed of a round rod material, which may be metal or polymer in different embodiments. At each end of bar region  201  the rod material turns through a radius to extend at a right angle to a central axis of the bar region, both extensions in the same direction. At the end of these extensions, the rod turns through a radius and through 180 degrees, indicated as regions  203  in  FIG. 2 b   , and then extends on each side in parallel regions  202 . 
         [0060]      FIG. 3 a    is a top-down view of a strap-clip in an alternative embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment there are two separate portions  301  and  302  that engage to provide strap-clip  300 . Portion  301  comprises an extension  303  which is analogous to extension  202  in  FIG. 2 a   , and has a bar region  304  that has a female threaded end. Portion  302  is a mirror image in shape of portion  301 , has an extension  303 , and a bar region  305  that has an extended male thread that engages the female thread of bar region  304  to provided a strap-clip of the same shape and size of strap-clip  200  of  FIGS. 2 a, b    and  c.    
         [0061]      FIG. 3 b    is a side view of the strap-clip of  FIG. 3 a   , in the direction of arrow Vb,  FIG. 3 c    is an end view of the strap-clip of  FIG. 3 a    in the direction of arrow Vc, and  FIG. 3 d    is an end view of the strap-clip of  FIG. 3 a    with parts  301  and  302  shown separated by disengagement of the threaded elements. 
         [0062]    An important purpose of the threaded design is that the strap-clip  300  may be adjusted for the center-to-center distance between extensions  301  and  302 , which allows adjustment for the center-to-center distance between eyelets for laces in a shoe. In this particular embodiment dimension d 4  may be extended by up to not quite d 5 , as a small portion of threaded extension  306  must remain in female thread  307  for the strap-clip to be useful for a shoe. 
         [0063]      FIG. 4  is a top-down view of the two sides of a lacing region of a shoe showing strap-clips  200  engaged in lacing eyelets  401  formed in shoe fabric  402  of a shoe. There are six eyelets  401  on each side of a centerline of the shoe (only two are numbered), for a total of twelve eyelets, with a center-to-center spacing of d 6 . It is important that strap-clips  200  be engaged in eyelets  401  such that bars  201  are positioned to the outside of the shoe on each side, rather than to the inside. The importance is to establish a separation d 7  such that strap-closures  105  (see  FIGS. 1 a  and 1 b   ) have sufficient working area to operate properly for the closures. If the strap-clips were reversed from the positions shown bars  201  would be very close, and the strap-closures wouldn&#39;t work properly. 
         [0064]    It may be seen in  FIG. 4  that the geometry of strap-clips  200  is somewhat altered from the geometry of the clips shown in  FIGS. 2   a, b and c . In  FIGS. 2 a, b  and  c    bar  201  is seen to bend ninety degrees at each end, and then to bend through 180 degrees to the extensions  202 . In alternative embodiments, as shown, for example, in  FIG. 4 , the initial bend is more than ninety degrees, such that the width of the strap-clip decreases somewhat from the bar toward the 180 degree bend. This variation in different embodiments may be as much as fifteen degrees. Further, the bends shown as 180 degrees as regions  203  may be in some embodiments a bit more or less than 180 degrees. 
         [0065]      FIG. 5  is a side elevation section view of strap-clips  200  engaged in eyelets  401  to illustrate the positioning and leverage of different portions of a strap-clips engaged in eyelets with the eyelets and the cloth material  402  in which the eyelets are situated. In this view only the cloth and the eyelets are sectioned, not the strap-clips. An important feature is that as engaged in the eyelets the extension  202  extends toward the outside of the shoe on each side substantially further than does bar region  201 , to which a strap-closure is connected on one side and wrapped around the bar on the opposite side (not shown in  FIG. 5 ). In use a strap-closure  105  when pulled and closed exerts force F 1  on bar portions  201  of each strap-clip  200 . This force tends to rotate strap-clips  202  about a fulcrum at one side of the engaged eyelet. 
         [0066]      FIG. 6  illustrates rotation of strap-clips  200  about a fulcrum at the engaged eyelet  401 , with a resulting rotation of extension  202  to bear against the underside of shoe cloth  402 . It is seen that the extensions  202  rotate around the eyelet to engage the underside of shoe cloth  402 , which constrains further rotation. The substantial extension of portions  202  beyond the position of bars  201  limit the rotation of the strap-clips and provide for secure engagement of the strap-clips in the eyelets of the shoe when the strap-closures are tensed and closed. 
         [0067]      FIG. 7 a    illustrates a strap-clip in another embodiment of the invention, wherein the center-to-center spacing of extensions  703  may be adjusted with the strap-clip engaged in adjacent eyelets.  FIG. 7 b    illustrates the strap-clip of  FIG. 7 a   , with the various elements disengaged. Portion  701  has the general shape of other strap-clips, with an extension  703 . Bar portion  704  ends in a left-hand male thread  708 . Portion  702  is a mirror image of portion  701 , with an extension  703  and a bar portion  705  ending in a right-hand male thread  709 . Engagement portion  706  has a left-hand female thread  707  on one end and a right-hand female thread on the other end, so the male threaded portions may be engaged in portion  706  simply by turning portion  706 , without rotating portions  701  and  702 . This arrangement allows strap-clip  700  to be adjusted for width after it is engaged in adjacent eyelets in a shoe. 
         [0068]      FIG. 7 c    is a perspective view of engagement portion  706  in one embodiment of the invention, being fabricated from hex stock providing six flat surfaces around the circumference of the element, which provide a gripping advantage for a user when adjusting the width of a strap-clip. 
         [0069]      FIG. 7 d    is a perspective view of engagement portion  706  in an alternative embodiment of the invention, being fabricated from round stock. Longitudinal raised striations are provided on the outside surface around the circumference of the element, which also provide a gripping advantage for a user when adjusting the width of a strap-clip. It will be apparent to the skilled person that the outside surface of element  788  may also be embossed and provided in several other ways to present a roughened surface to aid a user&#39;s grip. 
         [0070]      FIG. 8 a    illustrates an alternative embodiment of a strap-clip  800  in which the extensions engaged with eyelet  401  may reside in use below the shoe fabric  402  and pointing to the outside of the shoe, labeled here as  802 , have a flattened aspect. This has an advantage of reducing interference between the shoe-clip and the tongue of the shoe and the user&#39;s upper foot. 
         [0071]      FIG. 8 b    illustrates an alternative embodiment of a strap-clip  800  in which the extensions engaged with eyelet  401  may reside in use below the shoe fabric and pointing to the outside of the shoe, labeled here as  802 , have a flattened aspect, and are slightly curved to more closely match the curvature of the upper portion of a user&#39;s foot. This has a further advantage of reducing interference between the shoe-clip and the tongue of the shoe and the user&#39;s upper foot, and increasing the user&#39;s comfort level. 
         [0072]      FIG. 8 c    illustrates an embodiment of strap clip  800 , in which the extensions engaged with eyelet  401  is labeled as  802 . Here, the angle through which the sides of the strap-clip turn from above the shoe fabric to below the shoe fabric  402 , which is illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3  as 180 degrees, is adjusted by 10 degrees, so the bend is 170 degrees, which allows the bar of the shoe-clip above the fabric to raise a certain amount above the fabric. 
         [0073]    In various embodiments of the invention, as illustrated by several examples herein, the diameter of the wire or rod material used to make a strap-clip may vary, with a requirement that the rigidity be such as to reliably support the forces imposed in use with the strap-closures. It is not required in all instances that a cross-section of the wire or rod be round, and portions, such as the extensions to the outside under the show fabric, may have a flattened aspect. Further, the angle of turns of the wire or rod need not be ninety degrees exactly, or multiples of ninety degrees, but may vary somewhat as shown, for example, in  FIGS. 4 and 8   c.    
         [0074]      FIG. 9  illustrates an embodiment of a strap-clip  900  in the invention having a further hook element  901  that serves a purpose in securing the strap-clip in an eyelet  401  of a shoe, and providing rotary constraint against the pull force of straps in use. It may be seen in  FIG. 9  that force F 1  will tend to cause strap-clip  900  to rotate clockwise in eyelet  401 , but the degree of rotation will be constrained both by extension  902  against the underside of the shoe fabric  402 , and by hook  901  against the upper surface of eyelet  401 . In various embodiments hook elements  901  may be added to strap-clips by such as welding or brazing, or may be originally formed or machined into the strap-clip. There are numerous possibilities. It will be apparent as well that a hook  901  will be provided on both sides of a strap-clip, although only one is seen in  FIG. 9 . 
         [0075]      FIG. 10 a    illustrates a strap-clip  1000  may include parallel regions  1002  in another alternative embodiment of the invention. Strap-clip  1000  is in every respect but one the same as strap-clip  200  of  FIG. 2 a   . The definitive difference being that strap-clip  1000  has a second bar element  1003  provided from side to side parallel to bar element  1001 , with a space  1004  between the two bar elements. 
         [0076]      FIG. 10 b    is a side section view of the strap-clip of  FIG. 10 a   , taken along section line b-b in  FIG. 10 a   , illustrating the parallel region  1002 , positioning of the bar elements, providing a space  1004  between the bar elements. 
         [0077]      FIG. 10 c    is a perspective view of side-by-side eyelets groupings with strap-clips engaged in an embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment a strap-clip  200  with a bar element  201  is engaged in two adjacent eyelets on one side of the shoe, and a strap-clip  1000  with parallel bar elements  1001  and  1003  is engaged on the opposite side to two matching eyelets. The purpose of this arrangement is described below with reference to  FIG. 11 . In various embodiments, the strap-clip  200  and the strap-clip  1000  may be different. For example, one strip clip may be for anchoring and the other may be for adjusting. As illustrated in  FIG. 10C , the strap-clip  200  may be for anchoring while the strap-clip  1000  may be for adjusting. 
         [0078]      FIG. 10 d    illustrates a strap-clip  1007  in yet another embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment strap-clip  1007  is adjustable in width by the mechanisms shown and described with reference to  FIG. 7 . Further, the auxiliary bar  1008 , analogous to bar  1003  of  FIG. 10 a   , is separated at the center so the width adjustment mechanism may function. The strap-clip  1007  may include parallel regions  1002  and bar elements creating a space  1004 . 
         [0079]      FIG. 10 e    illustrates a strap-clip  1009  that is adjustable by the mechanisms shown and described with reference to  FIGS. 3 a   - 3   d.  Auxiliary bar  1010  is separated just as is bar  1008  in  FIG. 10 d   , for the same purpose. The strap-clip  1007  may include parallel regions  1002  and bar elements creating a space  1004 . 
         [0080]      FIG. 11  is a side, partially sectioned view of a closure arrangement in an embodiment of the invention. In this arrangement a strap-clip  200  is engaged in two adjacent eyelets  401  on one side, and a strap-clip  1000  with an extra bar element  1003  is engaged in the matching eyelets on the opposite side. A strap-closure  105  having a parallel region  1002 , as seen in  FIGS. 2 a  and 2 b   , is fastened to strap-clip  200  around bar element  201 , in this implementation by sewing at point  1101 . Strap-closure  105  proceeds to strap-clip  1000  on the opposite side of the show, passes over bar element  1003 , under bar element  1001 , and doubles back over itself toward the first side. To complete, the closure hook-and-loop elements  1005  and  1006  mate to secure the strap element to itself. 
         [0081]    The point of the extra bar element  1003  is that now, with the strap-closure open, both strap-clips  200  and  1000  may be disengaged from the eyelets, and the unit of the two strap-clips and the strap-closure may be moved to temporary storage, or may be engaged as a unit in different eyelet pairs of the same or a different shoe. Strap-clip  200  is captured by the fact of being sewn to the strap-closure, and strap-clip  1000  is captured on the strap-closure by the fact of the strap passing through the space between bar element  1001  and  1003 . 
         [0082]      FIG. 12 a    illustrates an alternative way to fasten a strap-closure to a strap-clip about the shoe fabric  402  and eyelet  401 . In this embodiment strap-closure  105  is fastened to strap-clip  200  by wrapping one end around the bar  201  and closing with hook-and-loop fasteners  1201  in the same way that the strap-closure joins to itself to finish the closure. This joining may be opened, so a strap-closure may be removed from any strap-clip and joined to another. 
         [0083]      FIG. 12 b    illustrates another alternative way to fasten a strap-closure to a strap-clip about the shoe fabric  402  and eyelet  401 . In this embodiment strap-closure  105  is fastened to strap-clip  200  having a parallel region  202  by wrapping one end around the bar  201  and closing with small matching snap elements  1202 . This also makes a strap-clip portable and changeable. 
         [0084]      FIG. 12 c    illustrates another alternative way to fasten a strap-closure to a strap-clip. In this embodiment strap-closure  105  is fastened to strap-clip  200  having a parallel region  202  by a spring-metal element  1203  that curves around bar element  201  by somewhat more than 270 degrees, and the spring-metal element has a buckle end  1204  for engaging the strap element. The spring-metal element can be placed against bar element  201 , and spread to engage by pushing inward. It may be similarly disengaged. 
         [0085]      FIG. 13 a    illustrates a strap-clip  1300  in another alternative embodiment of the invention. The diagram  1300  shows a bar region  1302  that may be formed of a round rod material, which may be metal or polymer in different embodiments. At each end of the bar region  1302 , the rod may be shaped as a bent region  1304 . The bent region  1304  may extend downwards on each side to a threaded region  1306 . The threaded region  1306  may be inserted into a threaded bore  1308  of a cap  1310  such as (but not limited to) a nut cap. In various embodiments, such strap-clip structures may enable easy access to shoe eyelets. For example, the threaded regions  1306  may slide through a pair of eyelets of a shoe, and then be fastened to the shoe with the cap  1310 . The bar region  1302 , may rest above the eyelets on the top surface of the shoe. In some embodiments, the bar region  1302  may be similar and/or identical in appearance and function as the bar regions described above with respect to  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 7 . 
         [0086]      FIG. 13 b    illustrates a side section view of the strap-clip in  FIG. 13 a   . The side section view shows the bent region  1304  and the threaded region  1306 . As illustrated, the cap  1310  may be mated with the threaded region  1306  to fasten the strap-clip to the eyelets of the shoe. 
         [0087]    In different embodiments of the invention strap-closures  105  may be made of cloth, canvas, fabric and other materials, and may be provided in a wide range of colors and designs including indicia of various sorts. 
         [0088]    A person of ordinary skill will recognize that the implementations and examples shown and described in this specification with reference to the various figures, are all exemplary only, and not limiting, as there are alternative ways of accomplishing many of the elements and functions that all fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.