Abstract:
An adjustable, interchangeable, and customizable shoe fastening device and its methods of use, to be used in articles of footwear designed for shoelaces, but not limited to such. The shoe fastening devices are comprised of an elongated looped cord with a removable one-piece holding device or a non-removable one-piece or two-part holding device, and an adjusting device to cater to different types of feet, footwear, and activity. The shoe fastening device offers users the ability to customize, interchange, decorate, and adjust the user&#39;s shoe fit to make it “just right.” The shoe fastening devices come as a set, package, pre-assembled kit, or a do-it-yourself kit. The shoe fastening and holding devices can be decorated with paint, nail polish, stickers, glitter, or the like, and can be easily removed, replaced or swapped with family and friends.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent No. 62/282,160 filed on Jul. 28, 2015 by the present inventor, which is incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to shoe fastening devices and its methods of use for fastening various types of footwear that are designed for lacing. 
         [0004]    2. Prior Art 
         [0005]    For centuries, people of all ages have been fastening their shoes with conventional shoelaces. However, it is well known that prior art conventional shoelaces are prone to repeatedly becoming untied and requiring retying of the laces. The constant need to tighten and retie the shoelaces is very time consuming and can be a challenge for children, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities. Furthermore, conventional shoelaces might be too tight or too loose for the user, thus compromising the user&#39;s comfort, support, safety, and performance. Additionally, a user that steps on an untied or loose shoelace can fall and suffer from a serious injury. 
         [0006]    Within the past few years, prior art such as Talley U.S. Pat. No. 8,677,579 and Frydlewski U.S. Pat. No. 7,506,420 have brought to market various types of “no-lace” shoe lacing and shoe fastening devices as a replacement to the conventional shoelace. Shoe fastening devices such as individual mini-laces, anchor type of laces, and other “no-lace” devices have gained popularity because they are viewed as a more convenient method of lacing shoes without having the hassle of retying the shoelaces every time they come undone. However, I have found that prior art shoelaces and shoe fastening devices do not provide the user with the ability to customize the shoe fastening device to the user&#39;s own preferred shoe fit, proper fit, level of support, comfort, style and safety. Furthermore, with the use of prior art shoelaces, the user is limited to the fit that the prior art shoelace company manufactured, without keeping in mind that users have different sizes, shapes, and types of feet (wide feet, narrow heel, shallow instep, narrow feet), and do not offer the user an adjustable solution to their unique type of foot, footwear, or activity that they will partake in. Additionally, prior art shoe fastening devices lack the ability to properly adjust the shoelace to create the user&#39;s perfect shoe fit. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    Embodiments of the present invention can include a shoe fastening device comprised of an elongated elastic woven cord that is affixed together by having the elastic cord&#39;s first and second ends adjoined together through a knot or any other means thus forming a general loop on the elastic cord, in which an adjusting device such as a slideable bead, clamp, stopper, or the like is placed on the now looped elastic cord by threading the elastic cord through the adjusting device&#39;s hole, orifice, slot, or slit, and placing a removable or non-removeable one-piece holding device, button, anchor, or the like, onto the looped elastic cord by threading the elastic cord through the holding device&#39;s hole, orifice, slot, slit or the like. This embodiment of the present invention can fasten an article of footwear in which a shoe fastening device is needed by fastening a first hole, eyelet, hook, or loop on an article of footwear and a second hole, eyelet, hook, or loop on an article of footwear. The user can then use the adjusting device to move or slide the adjusting device up, down, left or right to adjust the tightness of the shoe fastening device by sliding the adjusting device up towards the holding device to tighten the lace or sliding the adjusting device towards the knot to loosen the shoe fastening device, thus making a true customizable perfect shoe fit for the footwear user&#39;s unique style and size of foot and shoe. This allows the user to create the perfect fitting shoe fastening device(s), by offering the user the power to create his or her own comfortable, convenient, secure, stylish, interchangeable, adjustable, and customizable perfect fit . . . all at the user&#39;s fingertips. 
         [0008]    Embodiments of the present invention can also include a shoe fastening device for fastening footwear comprised of an elongated elastic cord that is affixed together by having the elastic cord&#39;s first and second ends knotted together thus forming a generalloop on the elastic cord, in which an adjusting device is placed on the now looped elastic cord by threading the elastic cord through the adjusting device&#39;s hole, orifice, slot, or slit, and placing a two-piece or multiple-piece holding device, button, anchor, or the like, onto the looped elastic cord by threading the elastic cord through the holding device&#39;s hole, orifice, slot, slot or the like. This embodiment of the present invention consists of a two-piece or multiple-piece holding device, button, anchor, or the like, comprised of a removable and/or interchangeable top/male part of the holding device, button, anchor, or the like that is affixed, snapped on, screwed on, placed, stuck, glued, hooked and looped, or joined to the non-removable or removable bottom/female part of the holding device, button, anchor, or the like. This embodiment would allow the user to decorate the shoe fastening device by interchanging, switching, or placing a decorative ornamental top/male part of the holding device onto the bottom/female part of the holding device without having to remove the bottom/female part of the holding device, button, anchor, or the like in order to do so. 
         [0009]    This embodiment of the present invention can fasten an article of footwear in which a shoe fastening device is needed by fastening a first hole, eyelet, hook, or loop on an article of footwear and a second hole, eyelet, hook, or loop on an article of footwear. The user can then use the adjusting device to adjust the tightness of the shoe fastening device by sliding the adjusting device up, down, left, or right towards the holding device to tighten the lace or sliding the adjusting device towards the knot to loosen the shoe fastening device, thus making the shoe fit truly customizable to the footwear user&#39;s unique style, size, and type of foot and shoe. This allows the user to create the perfect fitting shoe fastening device(s), thus offering the footwear user the power to create his 
         [0000]    or her own comfortable, convenient, secure, stylish, interchangeable, adjustable, and customizable perfect fit . . . all at the user&#39;s fingertips. 
         [0010]    Another embodiment of the present invention can also include a shoe fastening device for fastening footwear comprised of an elongated elastic cord in which either the cord&#39;s first or second end is inserted through the one-piece, two-piece, or multiple-piece holding device&#39;s orifice, shank, hole, slit, slot, or the like, after the elastic cord has been inserted and/or threaded into the holding device&#39;s orifice, shank, hole, slit, slot, or the like, the elastic cord&#39;s first and second ends are both threaded into the adjusting device&#39;s hole, orifice, slot, slit, or the like, in which the elastic cord is then affixed together by having the elastic cord&#39;s first and second ends adjoined together through a knot, clamp, or the like, below the adjusting device and towards the elastic cord&#39;s first and second ends, thus forming a general loop on the elastic cord. This embodiment of the present invention can fasten an article of footwear in which a shoe fastening device is needed by fastening a first hole, eyelet, hook, or loop on an article of footwear and a second hole, eyelet, hook, or loop on an article of footwear. The user can then move or slide the adjusting device which is comprised of a bead, clamp, stopper or the like, to adjust the tightness of the shoe fastening device by sliding the adjusting device up towards the holding device to tighten the lace or sliding the adjusting device towards the knot or adjoined ends to loosen the shoe fastening device, thus creating a customizable and perfect shoe fit for the footwear user&#39;s unique style, shoe, size, shape, and type of foot. This allows the user to create the perfect fitting shoe fastening device(s), thus offering the footwear user the power to create his or her own comfortable, convenient, secure, stylish, interchangeable, adjustable, and customizable perfect fit . . . all at the user&#39;s fingertips. 
         [0011]    The shoe fastening device may be one such device of a set, package, a pre-assembled kit, a do-it-yourself kit, or a shoe fastening system. The shoe fastening device set, kit, or system can include one or more, two or more, three or more, four or more, etc. number of shoe fastening devices. Optionally, the devices may be of the same configuration and/or size, but some or all of the devices may be of different configurations and sizes. For instance, optionally, the set of said fastening devices can include fastening devices each with a same overall length or different overall lengths. 
         [0012]    Disclosed embodiments also include a fastening method comprising of: 1) providing a shoe fastening device for fastening an article of footwear, 2) inserting the shoe fastening device into a pair of eyelets, holes, loops, hooks or openings of an article of footwear, 3) arranging said shoe fastening device onto the article of footwear with or without the use of a threading device such as string, tweezers, hook or the like, and 4) customizing the fit of the footwear by adjusting the shoe fastening device through the use of the adjusting device. 
       Advantages 
       [0013]    Accordingly, several advantages of one or more aspects are as follows: the present invention allows the user to customize the shoe fastening devices through the use of the adjusting device and thus create the perfect shoe fit. The adjusting device can be concealed behind the shoe flap, shoe tongue, behind the holding device, or simply displayed as a fashion preference. 
         [0014]    Also, the holding device does not only serve as a means for anchoring and or holding the shoe fastening device in place, but also serves as a means for the user to show his or her creativity by allowing the user to decorate, draw, color, paint, place stickers, 
         [0000]    beads, glue feathers, and the like to the holding device. Additionally, the one-piece and top/male part of the two-piece or multiple-piece holding device is so easily removable and replaceable that users can easily remove, exchange, interchange, replace, swap, and share the holding devices with friends and family. Moreover, the elastic cord is also easily removable and interchangeable allowing the user to easily change the color or pattern of the elastic cord to create endless color combinations. 
         [0015]    Other advantages of one or more aspects of the present invention will be apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    Embodiments will hereinafter be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like elements. The accompanying drawings have not necessarily been drawn to scale. Where applicable, some features may not be illustrated to assist in the description of underlying features. 
           [0017]    In the drawings, closely related figures have the same number but different alphabetic suffixes. 
           [0018]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a shoe fastening device according to embodiments of the invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 2A  is a front view of the shoe fastening device shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 2B  is a back view of the shoe fastening device shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 3A  is a left side view of the shoe fastening device shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 3B  is a right side view of the shoe fastening device shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 4A  is a front view of a shoe fastening device according to embodiments of the present invention, such as the shoe fastening device shown in  FIGS. 1-3B , having been arranged to create first and second loop ends. 
           [0024]      FIG. 4B  is a back view of the shoe fastening device of  FIG. 4A . 
           [0025]      FIG. 4C  is a front perspective view of a plurality of shoe fastening devices according to embodiments of the present invention arranged in footwear. 
           [0026]      FIG. 4D  is a front view of a threading device. 
           [0027]      FIG. 5A  is a front view of a shoe fastening device according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 5B  is a front view of the shoe fastening device of  FIG. 5A  as it is partially disassembled. 
           [0029]      FIG. 5C  is a back view of the shoe fastening device of  FIG. 5A . 
           [0030]      FIG. 6A  is a front view of a shoe fastening device according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 6B  is a back view of the shoe fastening device of  FIG. 6A . 
           [0032]      FIG. 6C  is a front view of the shoe fastening device of  FIG. 6A  according to embodiments of the present invention, such as the shoe fastening device shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B , having been arranged to create first and second loop ends. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0033]    The description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter and is not intended to represent the only embodiments in which the disclosed subject matter may be practiced. The description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of the disclosed subject matter. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the disclosed subject matter may be practiced without these specific details. 
         [0034]    One embodiment of the shoe fastening device is illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 4B . 
         [0035]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1-4B , which show an embodiment of a shoe fastening device  100  according to the present invention, the shoe fastening device  100  can have an elongated one-piece elastic cord  110  with first and second ends  112  and  114 , that are affixed together by a knot  118 , thus forming a loop  116  on the elastic cord  110  which is then threaded through the hole, orifice, slot, or slit of the adjustable device  124  and threaded through a hook, hole, orifice, loop, or shank  122  belonging to the removable one-piece holding device  120 . 
         [0036]    Optionally, the shoe fastening device  100  can have an elongated one-piece elastic cord  110  which does not have to be elastic or be “one-piece,” but can be made from multiple pieces and from any fabric, lace, cord, string, or the like, and can be made from either a flexible, non-flexible, elastic or non-elastic material, rubber, silicone, or any other suitable material used by those skilled in the art. The elastic cord  110  can be round, flat, or of any shape, color, size, form, texture, and material. Furthermore, the elastic cord  110  can have its first and second ends  112  and  114  affixed together by a knot  118 , but it is not limited to being affixed by a knot, but can be glued together, sewn together, stitched together, clamped together, or bonded together through a melting procedure, or affixed by any other means used by those skilled in the art. 
         [0037]    The one-piece holding device  120 , can be a button, anchor, stopper, or any other similar device that has multiple or a single hook, hole, orifice, aperture, or shank  122 . The one-piece holding device  120  can be made of plastic, fabric, rubber, metal, wood or any other material used by those skilled in the art. Moreover, the one-piece holding device  120  can be of any size, color, shape, form, material, or texture. And the user is able to decorate the one-piece holding device  120  by painting it, putting glitter, placing stickers on it, writing on it, attaching a decorative piece to it, or decorating it with any art media. The one-piece holding device  120  is easily removable so the user can decorate, save, remove, replace, change, switch, or exchange the one-piece holding device  120  with friends and family. The one-piece holding device  120  is easily removable by simply sliding the removable one-piece holding device  120  out from the elastic cord  110 . The one-piece holding device  120  can then be stored or easily placed onto another shoe fastening device  100  by threading the elastic cord  110  through the shank  122  of the one-piece holding device  120 , with or without the use of a threading device  130  as shown in  FIGS. 2A, 2B, 4A, 4B, and 4D . 
         [0038]    Referring to  FIG. 4D , the threading device  130  can consist of, but not limited to, a needle, pin, paperclip, bobby pin, or a thin “V” shaped plastic, rubber, wire, yarn, hook but not limited to such, and may consist of any material used by those skilled in the art. Also, the threading device  130  can be of any shape, form, size, color, texture, or material, but is not limited to such, and can be made out of any suitable material used by those skilled in the art. The threading device  130  which can be used to assist in threading the elastic cord  110  into the shank  122  of the removable and replaceable one-piece holding device  120  or through the hole, slot, slit, or orifice of the adjusting device  124  or to assist the user to insert the shoe fastening device  100  thru the shoe eyelets. Optionally, the threading device  130  may or may not be used by the user. 
         [0039]    Also, the adjusting device  124  can consist of a plastic bead, sliding stopper, sliding clamp, or any other similar device that adjusts the tightness or looseness of the footwear worn and makes the shoe fastening device  100  truly adjustable and customizable by allowing the user to slide the adjusting device  124  up and down, left and right the elastic cord  110 . Optionally, the adjusting device  124  can be, but does not have to, of a size that is big enough for the elastic cord&#39;s loop  116  to be threaded within it with or without the use of the threading device  130 , but small enough so that it can offer the grip and tightness needed so that the user of the shoe fastening device  100  can adjust the tightness of the shoe fastening device  100  to its perfect fit. Moreover, the adjusting device  124  can be made of any size, shape, form, color, texture or any other material used by those skilled in the art. The adjusting device  124  can be of one piece or be comprised of multiple pieces such as a bead with inner rubber, silicone or other like material that may be used by those skilled in the art. Furthermore, as shown in  FIG. 4B , a completely assembled ready to use shoe fastening device  100  may have the adjusting device  124  and the knot  118  placed towards the center where the shank  122  is located, thus forming elastic loop ends  126  and  128 , which will be easily threaded into the hook, loop, holes, or eyelets of the article of footwear  150 . 
         [0040]    Additionally, a user may choose to thread the elastic cord  110  through the hole, orifice, slit, or slot of the adjusting device  124  by pinching the elastic cord  110  with his or her fingers and inserting the pinched elastic cord  110  through the shank  122  of the one-piece holding device  120  or the hole, hook, slit or slot of the adjusting device  124 . Optionally, the user may use the threading device  130  that is included in the sold set, kit, or package to assemble, remove, replace, or swap the one-piece holding device  120  or to remove, replace, or interchange the elastic cord  110  to create a different colored or decorated shoe fastening device  100 . The threading device  130  is not a requirement for the use of the shoe fastening device  100  but may be used if the user desires. 
         [0041]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  show the elastic cord  110  having been threaded into the one-piece holding device  120  through the shank  122  of the one-piece holding device  120 . The one-piece holding device  120  can be of any shape, size, color, form, material, or texture. Moreover, the user is able to decorate the one-piece holding device  120  by painting it, putting glitter, placing stickers on it, or attaching a decorative piece to it. 
         [0042]      FIG. 4C  is a front perspective view of a plurality of shoe fastening devices  100  arranged in footwear  150 . The plurality of shoe fastening devices  100  may come as part of a set, kit, or package of shoe fastening devices  100 . 
         [0043]    The set, kit, or package may be sold in the form of completely assembled, pre-assembled ready to use, partially pre-assembled, or a do-it-yourself set, kit, or package. Optionally, the set, kit, or package can include one or more, two or more, three or more, four or more, etc. number of shoe fastening devices  100 . Optionally, the devices may be of the same configuration and/or size or some or all of the devices may be of different configurations and sizes. For instance, optionally, the set of said shoe fastening devices  100  can include shoe fastening devices  100  each with different overall lengths. Alternatively, the set of said shoe fastening devices  100  can include shoe fastening devices  100  each with a same overall length. As yet another alternative, the set of said shoe fastening devices  100  can include at least two of said shoe fastening devices  100  having different overall lengths, but does not have to since the said shoe fastening devices  100  are adjustable and customizable to the user&#39;s footwear size, shape, and the user&#39;s preference through the use of the adjusting device  124 . 
         [0044]    There is now provided a description of the installation, assembly, or method of use of the shoe fastening device  100  into an article of footwear  150  with reference to  FIGS. 4A through 4D . 
         [0045]    One method of using this embodiment consists of the user getting the shoe fastening devices  100  and an article of footwear  150  of the kind that has a plurality of eyelets for the insertion of conventional shoelaces. The shoe fastening device  100  is applied as 
         [0000]    follows: the user takes the shoe fastening device  100  and inserts loop  126  into an eyelet by threading loop  126  through the eyelet from under the eyelet. Once loop  126  is inserted into and threaded through the eyelet, the user then takes loop  128  and passes it over the tongue of the footwear to the corresponding second eyelet of the pair, and inserts loop  128  through the corresponding eyelet from under the eyelet, as described herein above for loop  126 , thus stretching the main body of the shoe fastening device  100  where the removable one-piece holding device  120 , the knot  118 , and the adjusting device  124  are located. The user then wraps loops  126  and  128  over and around the one-piece holding device  120  by using the one-piece holding device  120  as a means to couple loops  126  and  128  together. After the shoe fastening device  100  is fastened, the user can adjust the one-piece holding devices  120  placement on the shoe fastening device  100  and adjust the shoe fastening device  100  tightness by sliding the adjusting device  124  towards the one-piece holding device  100  or the knot  118  until the user achieves a comfortable, secure, and perfect fit of his or her choosing. The user can display the adjusting device and extra elastic cord  110 , can cut the remaining extra elastic cord  110  but leave the adjusting device  124  in place and tie another knot to keep the adjusting device  124  from falling off the elastic cord  110 , or the user can simply conceal the adjusting device  124  and the elastic cords  110  first and second ends  112 ,  114  behind the footwear&#39;s eyelet, holes, hooks, loops, or opening&#39;s flaps. The user can customize, arrange, display, decorate, and configure his or her shoe fastening devices  100  as he or she desire. 
         [0046]    Alternatively, if the user prefers to not have the adjusting device  124  on the shoe fastening device  100  the user can simply wrap loops  126  and  128  over and around the one-piece holding device multiple times until the user achieves the comfort fit that he or she desires. 
         [0047]    Furthermore, the user may or may not choose to use a threading device  130  to insert loops  126  and  128  into their respective footwear eyelets, holes, loops, hooks, or openings. If the user chooses to use the threading device  130 , then the user simply places a loop  126  or  128  in between the threading device  130  while the user temporarily joins the ends of the threading device  130  by pinching them together and having the ends facing upward while inserting the threading device  130  threading loops  126  and  128  through and under the eyelets of the article of footwear  150 . 
         [0048]    The threading device  130  is not a requirement for the use of the shoe fastening device  100  but may be used if the user desires. However, if the user purchases a do-it-yourself set or kit, or simply wants to swap, exchange, or add an extra holding button, the user will likely need to use the threading device  130  to thread the elastic cord  110  through the hole, orifice, slot, slit, or opening of the adjusting device  124  and through the shank  122 , hole, opening, orifice, aperture of the one-piece holding device  120  prior to threading the shoe fastening device  100  into the eyelets, holes, hooks, or loops of an article of footwear. If the user does choose to use the threading device  130 , he or she simply needs to position the elastic cord  110  in between the threading device  130  and temporarily join the ends of the threading device  130  by pinching them together while threading the elastic cord  110  through the device that the user wants to place onto the elastic cord  110  or use the threading device  130  the assist the user in threading the shoe fastening device  100  through and under the eyelets. 
         [0049]    Furthermore, the user of a do-it-yourself kit, may need to follow these additional steps prior to the installation method discussed above in assembly of the adjusting 
         [0000]    device  124  and the knot  118  towards the center of the shank  122  of the one-piece holding device  120 , and forming the loops  126  and  128  shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B . The user will then adjust the one-piece holding device  120  to the position that he or she prefers within the elastic cord  110 , preferably the center position, but is not limited to such position. After the adjusting device  124  and the knot  118  are properly positioned towards the center of the one-piece holding device  120  or in any position of the user&#39;s liking, and the loops  126  and  128  are formed into a bow like form, then the user is ready to assemble the shoe fastening devices  100  into an article of footwear  150 . However, in a completely assembled or pre-assembled set, kit, or package, the user may or may not be required to complete the steps mentioned above. For example, in a completely assembled set, kit, or package of the shoe fastening device  100 , the user will simply need to adjust the tightness or looseness of the elastic cord  110  by sliding the adjusting device  124  up towards the removable one-piece holding device  120  to tighten the shoe fastening device  100  or slide the adjusting device  124  away from the one-piece holding device  120  towards the first and second ends  112 ,  114  of the elastic cord  110  to loosen the shoe fastening device  100  for a looser feel. 
         [0050]      FIGS. 5A-5C  show various views of another embodiment of the present invention in which a shoe fastening device  200  comprises of a two-piece holding device  240 , instead of the one-piece holding device  120  described in the first embodiment and shown in  FIGS. 1-4C . The shoe fastening device  200  can have an elongated one-piece elastic cord  210  with first and second ends  212  and  214 , that are affixed together by a knot  218 , thus forming a loop  226  on the elastic cord  210  which is then threaded through the 
         [0000]    hole, orifice, slot, or slit of the adjusting device  224  and threaded through a shank  222  belonging to the two-piece holding device  240 . 
         [0051]    The two-piece holding device  240  is comprised of a removable, replaceable, and interchangeable top/male part  244  that is, as shown by the arrow in  FIG. 5B , attached to a bottom/female part  242  by being snapped onto the bottom/female part  242 , but may also be attached through other means such as the top/male part  244  of the two-piece holding device  242  being screwed on, clipped on, snapped on, hook-and-looped on, attached by the use of a magnet, glued on, or the like, or any other means used by those skilled in the art, to the bottom/female part  242  of the two-piece holding device  240 . The two-piece holding device  240  can consist solely of a top/male part  244  and a bottom/female part  242  or it may consist of multiple top/male parts  244  and a single bottom/female part  242 . The bottom/female part  242  has a hole, hook, loop, orifice, or shank  222  attached to it in which the elastic cord  210  is inserted and threaded through. The two-piece holding device  240 , can be a button, anchor, or any other similar device that has multiple or a single hook, hole, orifice, aperture, or shank  246 . The two-piece holding device  240  can be made of plastic, fabric, rubber, metal, wood or any other material used by those skilled in the art. Moreover, the two-piece holding device  240  can be of any size, color, shape, form, material, or texture. And the user is able to decorate the two-piece holding device  240  by painting it, putting glitter, placing stickers on it, writing on it, attaching a decorative piece to it, or decorating it with any art media. 
         [0052]    One method of using this embodiment consists of the user getting the shoe fastening devices  200  and an article of footwear of the kind that has a plurality of eyelets for the insertion of conventional shoelaces. The shoe fastening device  200  is applied as 
         [0000]    follows: the user takes the shoe fastening device  200  and inserts loop  226  into an eyelet by threading loop  226  through the eyelet from under the eyelet. Once loop  226  is inserted into and threaded through the eyelet, the user then takes loop  228  and passes it over the tongue of the footwear to the corresponding second eyelet of the pair, and inserts loop  228  through the corresponding eyelet from under the eyelet, as described herein above for loop  226 , thus stretching the main body of the shoe fastening device  200  where the removable two-piece holding device  240 , the knot  218 , and the adjusting device  224  are located. The user then wraps loops  226  and  228  over and around the two-part holding device  240  by using the two-piece holding device  240  as a means to couple loops  226  and  228  together. After the shoe fastening device  200  is fastened, the user can adjust the placement of the two-piece holding device  240  placement on the shoe fastening device  200  and adjust the tightness of the shoe fastening device  200  by sliding the adjusting device  224  towards the two-part holding device  200  or the knot  218  until the user achieves a comfortable, secure, and perfect fit of his or her choosing. The user can display the adjusting device  224  and extra elastic cord  210 , can cut the remaining extra elastic cord  210  but leave the adjusting device  224  in place and tie another knot to keep the adjusting device  224  from falling off the elastic cord  210 , or the user can simply conceal the adjusting device  224  and the elastic cord&#39;s  210  first and second ends  212 ,  214  behind the footwear&#39;s eyelet, holes, hooks, loops, or opening&#39;s flaps. The user can customize, arrange, display, decorate, and configure his or her shoe fastening devices  200  as he or she desires. 
         [0053]    The user can decorate, remove, replace, swap, and/or interchange the top/male part  244  of the two-piece holding device  240  by snapping, unscrewing, pulling off, unclipping, peeling, or by similar means, take the top/male part  244  off from the bottom/female part  242  of the two-piece holding device  200 . The user can then decorate or swap the removable and replaceable top/male part  244  with another top/male part  244  of a different shape, form, size, design, pattern, or decoration. 
         [0054]    Alternatively, the user may remove, replace, decorate, or interchange the top/male part  244  prior to installing the shoe fastening devices  200  onto an article of footwear or, optionally, decorate, remove, replace, or interchange the top/male part  244  after the shoe fastening device  200  has been installed onto an article of footwear. 
         [0055]    The shoe fastening device  200  may come as part of a set, kit, or package of multiple shoe fastening devices  200 . The set, kit, or package may be in a form of pre-assembled ready to use, partially pre-assembled, or a do-it-yourself kit. The shoe fastening device set, kit, or system can include one or more, two or more, three or more, four or more, etc. number of shoe fastening devices  200 . Optionally, the devices may be of the same configuration and/or size, but some or all of the devices may be of different configurations and sizes. For instance, optionally, the set of said fastening devices can include fastening devices each with a same overall length and be adjusted by the footwear user through the use of the adjusting device  224 . 
         [0056]      FIGS. 6A-6C  show a shoe fastening device  300  according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. Shoe fastening device  300  can have an elongated one-piece 
         [0000]    elastic cord  310  with first and second ends  312  and  314 , a holding device  320  attached to the elastic cord  310  by the hole, orifice, hook, loop or shank  322  of the holding device  320 , a clamp, closure, or knot  318  of the first and second cord ends  312 ,  314 , and an adjusting device  324 . Optionally, the shoe fastening device  300  can have an elongated one-piece elastic cord  310  which does not have to be elastic or be “one-piece,” but can be made from multiple pieces and from any flexible or elastic material, rubber, silicone, or any other suitable material used by those skilled in the art. The elastic cord  310  can be of any color(s), size, shape, form, texture, and material. Furthermore, the elastic cord  310  can have its first and second ends  312  and  314  affixed together by a knot  318 , but it is not limited to being affixed by a knot, but can be glued together, sewn together, stitched together, clamped together with a clamp, or bonded together through a melting procedure or by any other means used by those skilled in the art. The holding device  320 , can be a one-piece, two-piece or multiple-piece button, anchor, or any other similar device that has multiple or a single hook, hole, orifice, aperture, or shank  322 . The holding device  320  can be made of plastic, fabric, rubber, metal, wood or any other material used by those skilled in the art. Moreover, the holding device  320  can be of any size, color, shape, form, material, or texture. And the user is able to decorate the holding device  320  by painting it, putting glitter, placing stickers on it, writing on it, attaching a decorative piece to it, or decorating it with any art media. The holding device  320  is non-removable so the user would not be able to remove, replace, change, switch, or exchange the holding device  320  with friends and family unless the holding device  320  consists of a two-piece holding device in which the bottom/female part would stay affixed to the elastic cord while the top/male part would be removable and be
 
able to be removed, replaced, changed, switched, swapped, or exchanged with family and friends or if the user chooses to remove the holding device  320  by cutting the lace they would simply re-adjoin the elastic cords  300  to its original form.
 
         [0057]    The adjusting device  324  can consist of a bead, sliding stopper, sliding clamp, or any other similar device that adjusts the tightness or looseness of the footwear worn and customized by the user by sliding the adjusting device  324  up or down, left or right of the elastic cord  310 . 
         [0058]    In this alternate embodiment, the holding device  320  is placed on the elastic cord  310  by having the elastic cord  310  first threaded in through the shank  322  by either the first end  312  or the second end  314 . After the placement of the holding device  320  on the elastic cord  310 , the first and second ends  312 ,  314  of the elastic cord  310  are coupled together and threaded through the hole, hook, loop, orifice, of the adjusting device  324  and then the first and second ends  312 ,  314  are affixed by knot  318 ; thus, creating a loop as shown in  FIGS. 6A-6C . 
         [0059]    One method of use according to this embodiment consists of the user getting the shoe fastening device  300  and placing the holding device  320  towards the middle of the looped elastic cord  310  and creating loop ends  326 ,  328 . At this point, the adjusting device  324  can be moved up, down, left, or right to adjust the shoe fastening device  300 . The adjusting device  324  on the shoe fastening device  300  offers the user the ability to adjust the grip and tightness of the shoe fastening device  300  and helps the user find the perfect fit. Moreover, the adjusting device  324  can be made of any size, shape, form, color, texture or material used by those skilled in the art. Also, the adjusting device  324  can be made of a single, multiple, or joined parts, such 
         [0000]    as, but not limited to, a device with a silicone type material attached to the inner opening, hole, orifice, slit, or slot of the device. 
         [0060]    The user then applies the shoe fastening device  300  as follows: the user takes the shoe fastening device  300  and inserts loop  326  into an eyelet by threading loop  326  through the eyelet from under the eyelet. Once loop  326  is inserted into and threaded through the eyelet, the user then takes loop  328  and passes it over the tongue of the footwear to the corresponding second eyelet of the pair, and inserts loop  328  through the corresponding eyelet from under the eyelet, as described herein above for loop  326 , thus stretching the main body of the shoe fastening device  300  where the removable holding device  320 , the knot  318 , and the adjusting device  324  are located. The user then wraps loops  326  and  328  over and around the holding device  320  by using the holding device  320  as a means to couple loops  326  and  328  together. After the shoe fastening device  300  is fastened, the user can adjust the holding device  320  on the shoe fastening device  300  and adjust the tightness of the shoe fastening device  300  by sliding the adjusting device  324  towards the holding device  300  or the knot  318  until the user achieves a comfortable, secure, and perfect fit of his or her choosing. The user can display the adjusting device  324  and extra elastic cord  310 , can cut the remaining extra elastic cord  310  but leave the adjusting device  324  in place and tie another knot to keep the adjusting device  324  from falling off the elastic cord  310 , or the user can simply conceal the adjusting device  324  and the elastic cords  310  first and second ends  312 ,  314  behind the footwear&#39;s eyelet, holes, hooks, loops, or opening&#39;s flaps. The user can customize, 
         [0000]    arrange, display, decorate, and configure his or her shoe fastening devices  300  as he or she desire. 
         [0061]    Alternatively, if the user prefers to not have the adjusting device  324  on the shoe fastening device  300  the user can simply wrap loops  326  and  328  over and around the one-piece holding device multiple times until the user achieves the comfort fit that he or she desires. 
         [0062]    Furthermore, the user may or may not choose to use a threading device  130  to insert loops  326  and  328  into their respective footwear eyelets, holes, loops, hooks, or openings. If the user chooses to use the threading device  130 , then the user simply places a loop  326  or  328  in between the threading device  130  while the user temporarily joins the ends of the threading device  130  by pinching them together and having the ends facing upward while inserting the threading device  130  threading loops  326  and  328  under and through the eyelets of the article of footwear  150 . 
         [0063]    While the invention has been described in conjunction with a number of embodiments, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations would be or are apparent to those of ordinary skill in the applicable arts. Accordingly, Applicant intends to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, equivalents, and variations that are within the spirit and scope of the invention.