Patent Publication Number: US-11022198-B2

Title: Cord lock

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 15/685,602, filed Aug. 24, 2017, and titled “Cord Lock,” now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,527,129, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent App. No. 62/379,977, filed Aug. 26, 2016, and titled “Cord Lock.” Both of these applications are incorporated herein by reference in the entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The field relates to cord locks. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Drawcords or just “cords” (also sometimes referred to as laces, cables, drawstrings, and the like) are commonly integrated into various types of articles (e.g., bags, garments, etc.) to modify a feature of the article, such as a size, dimension, or shape. Cord locks provide a mechanism to adjust, and set, a length of cord. Sometimes the cord lock is only attached to the cord, and not to the article itself, which can result in the cord lock being lost or misplaced if the cord lock is disconnected from the cord. Additionally, a cord lock that is only attached to the cord may be flung about by the cord, which can be undesirable, even if only to a small degree. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Aspects of the present disclosure are described in detail with reference to the figures, which are incorporated herein by reference, and which are intended to be exemplary and non-limiting in nature, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of an article incorporating a cord lock, in accordance with an aspect hereof; 
         FIG. 2  depicts an exploded view of the article shown in  FIG. 1 , in accordance with an aspect hereof; 
         FIG. 3  depicts the article shown in  FIG. 2  with a force applied to the cord lock, in accordance with an aspect hereof; 
         FIG. 4  depicts an exploded view of the cord lock shown in  FIGS. 2-3 , in accordance with an aspect hereof; 
         FIG. 5  depicts an alternate perspective view of the cord lock shown in  FIG. 4 , in accordance with an aspect hereof; 
         FIG. 6  depicts the cord lock shown in  FIGS. 2-5  in a resting state with a cord threadably positioned therein, in accordance with an aspect hereof; 
         FIG. 7  depicts the cord lock shown in  FIG. 6  in an engaged state with a force applied to the cord lock, in accordance with an aspect hereof; 
         FIG. 8  depicts a cross-section elevation view of the cord lock shown in  FIGS. 2-7 , in accordance with an aspect hereof; 
         FIG. 9  depicts the cord lock shown in  FIG. 8  with a force applied to the cord lock, in accordance with an aspect hereof; 
         FIG. 10  depicts an exploded perspective view of the cord lock shown in  FIGS. 3-4  along with a textile layer, in accordance with an aspect hereof; and 
         FIG. 11  depicts an elevation cross-section view of the cord lock shown in  FIG. 10  positioned within a tubular sleeve formed by the textile layer, in accordance with an aspect hereof. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The subject matter of various aspects of the present disclosure is described with specificity herein to meet statutory requirements. However, the description itself is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Rather, the claimed subject matter may be embodied or carried out in other ways, to include different elements, combinations, components, configurations, and/or steps, including those similar to the ones described in this disclosure, in conjunction with other present or future technologies. 
     The present disclosure relates generally to cord locks and articles incorporating the same. An exemplary cord lock may include one or more components that releasably clamp onto a cord, allowing slidable adjustment of a length of the cord in response to a force applied to the cord lock. The cord lock may be incorporated into an article or article layer such that it is at least partially concealed, and may be used to adjust a length of cord extending from or through the article. 
     In one aspect, a cord lock is provided. The cord lock comprises a first cord-clamp bar having a first-bar body with a first side and a second side, the second side generally opposing the first side, the first-bar body including a first thickness between the first side and the second side. The first-bar body includes a first aperture and a second aperture that extend entirely through the first thickness from the first side to the second side. The first cord-clamp bar includes a first protruding member that extends from the second side, the first protruding member including a first cord-receiving channel. The first cord-clamp bar includes a second protruding member that extends from the second side, the second protruding member including a second cord-receiving channel. The cord lock further comprises a second cord-clamp bar having a second-bar body with a third side and a fourth side, the third side generally opposing the fourth side and facing towards the second side of the first cord-clamp bar, the second-bar body including a second thickness between the third side and the fourth side. The second-bar body includes a third aperture and a fourth aperture that extend entirely through the second thickness of the second-bar body from the third side to the fourth side. The first protruding member extends through the third aperture and the second protruding member extends through the fourth aperture. The second cord-clamp bar includes a fifth aperture and a sixth aperture extending entirely though the second thickness, the fifth aperture being axially aligned with the first aperture and including a third cord-receiving channel, the sixth aperture being axially aligned with the second aperture and including a fourth cord-receiving channel. The cord lock further comprises a biasing element coupled between the first cord-clamp bar and the second cord-clamp bar. 
     In another aspect, an article is provided. The article comprises a first cord-clamp bar having a first-bar body with a first side and a second side, the second side generally opposing the first side, the first-bar body including a first thickness between the first side and the second side. The first-bar body includes a first aperture and a second aperture that extend entirely through the first thickness from the first side to the second side. The first cord-clamp bar includes a first protruding member that extends from the second side, the first protruding member including a first cord-receiving channel. The first cord-clamp bar also includes a second protruding member that extends from the second side, the second protruding member including a second cord-receiving channel. The article further comprises a second cord-clamp bar having a second-bar body with a third side and a fourth side, the third side generally opposing the fourth side and facing towards the second side of the first cord-clamp bar, the second-bar body including a second thickness between the third side and the fourth side. The second-bar body includes a third aperture and a fourth aperture that extend entirely through the second thickness of the second-bar body from the third side to the fourth side. The first protruding member extends through the third aperture and the second protruding member extends through the fourth aperture. The second cord-clamp bar includes a first protruding tubular member that extends from the third side of the second-bar body and through the first aperture of the first-bar body, the first protruding tubular member including a third cord-receiving channel. The second cord-clamp bar also includes a second protruding tubular member that extends from the third side of the second-bar body and through the second aperture of the first-bar body, the second protruding tubular member including a fourth cord-receiving channel. The article further comprises a biasing element coupled between the first cord-clamp bar and the second cord-clamp bar, and a first textile layer having a first surface and a second surface. The first textile layer has a first textile aperture and a second textile aperture extending entirely through a thickness of the first textile layer from the first surface to the second surface, the second surface facing towards the first side of the first cord-clamp bar. The article further comprises a cord passing sequentially through the first cord-receiving channel, the third cord-receiving channel, the fourth cord-receiving channel, and the second cord-receiving channel. The cord further extends through the first textile aperture and the second textile aperture. 
     In another aspect, an article is provided. The article comprises a first cord-clamp bar having a first-bar body with a first side and a second side, the second side generally opposing the first side, the first-bar body including a first thickness between the first side and the second side. The first-bar body includes a first aperture defined by a first-aperture collar and a second aperture defined by a second-aperture collar, the first aperture and the second aperture extending entirely through the first thickness from the first side to the second side. The first cord-clamp bar also includes a first protruding member that extends from the second side, the first protruding member including a first cord-receiving channel. The first cord-clamp bar further includes a second protruding member that extends from the second side, the second protruding member including a second cord-receiving channel. The article further comprises a second cord-clamp bar having a second-bar body with a third side and a fourth side, the third side generally opposing the fourth side and facing towards the second side of the first cord-clamp bar. The second-bar body includes a second thickness between the third side and the fourth side. The second-bar body also includes a third aperture and a fourth aperture that extend entirely through the second thickness of the second-bar body from the third side to the fourth side. The first protruding member extends through the third aperture and the second protruding member extends through the fourth aperture. The second cord-clamp bar includes a fifth aperture and a sixth aperture extending entirely though the second thickness. The fifth aperture is axially aligned with the first aperture and includes a third cord-receiving channel, and the sixth aperture is axially aligned with the second aperture and includes a fourth cord-receiving channel. The article further comprises a biasing element coupled between the first cord-clamp bar and the second cord-clamp bar. The article further comprises a textile layer having a first surface and a second surface, the textile layer having a first textile aperture and a second textile aperture extending entirely through a thickness of the textile layer from the first surface to the second surface, the second surface facing towards the first side of the first cord-clamp bar. The article further comprises a first grommet that reinforces the first textile aperture and is coupled to the textile layer and to the first-aperture collar, and a second grommet that reinforces the second textile aperture and is coupled to the textile layer and to the second-aperture collar. A cord passes sequentially through the first cord-receiving channel, the third cord-receiving channel, the fourth cord-receiving channel, and the second cord-receiving channel. 
     A “cord” as used herein includes, but is not limited to, a string, strand, fiber, cord, rope, yarn, thread, strap, ribbon, lace, band, and the like. A cord may be comprised of multiple filaments or a monofilament. A band may be wound, braided, knit, woven, spun, cut, and the like. In an exemplary aspect, a cord is an element used in connection with apparel, footwear, equipment, and the like to secure, tighten, constrict, wrap, or otherwise exert a tensioning force about an element (e.g., a wearer or an article). Specifically, it is contemplated herein that a cord, cord lock, and/or article or article layer incorporating a cord lock may be used in connection with a shirt, jacket, pant, pair of shorts, ¾ or capris, an article of footwear or outerwear (e.g., gloves, mittens, hat, rain gear, winter gear, etc.), swimwear, bags, outdoor gear (e.g., a tent, a sleeping bag, etc.), and the like. The above-listed use considerations are intended to be exemplary and non-limiting in nature, and other uses are contemplated. 
     A “biasing element” as used herein may comprise one or more springs, cushions, and/or other elastic or elastically resilient components that provide a biasing force between movable parts of a cord lock. A biasing element may also include a pair of magnets having the same poles oriented towards each other (e.g., a first magnet with a first north pole and a first south pole and a second magnet with a second north pole and a second south pole, where either the first and second north poles or the first and second south poles are oriented towards each other to provide a repelling force that acts as a biasing force). Additionally, a “cord lock” as used herein may comprise a device with one or more components, at least some of which are movable relative to each other for releasably clamping onto a cord to restrict movement of the cord through the cord lock. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of a portion of an article  100  with a cord lock  102  integrated therein is provided, in accordance with an aspect hereof. The article  100  includes an article layer  104  that is folded over and joined to itself to form a tubular casing  106 . The tubular casing  106  may be formed of a single piece of material (e.g., the article layer  104 ), as shown in  FIG. 1 , or in alternate aspects may be formed of a composite construction. The composite construction may include multiple pieces of material and/or multiple layers joined together. 
       FIG. 1  further depicts a cord  108  extending through the tubular casing  106  and through the cord lock  102 . A looped portion  110  of the cord  108  is exposed outside of the tubular casing  106 . A length of the looped portion  110  may be adjusted by applying a force to the cord lock  102  and pulling on the looped portion  110  of the cord  108  to slide the cord  108  through the cord lock  102 . Adjusting the length of the looped portion  110  may allow for modification of a characteristic of the article  100 , such as a size of an opening. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the cord lock  102  is at least partially concealed within the article  100 , and more specifically within the tubular casing  106  formed by the article layer  104 . The article layer  104  may comprise a woven or knitted textile, a polymer or partial-polymer material, a natural or synthetic material, and/or another type of material, textile, or layer. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2-3 , exploded perspective views of the article  100  shown in  FIG. 1  are provided, in accordance with aspects hereof. In  FIG. 2 , the cord lock  102  is shown in a resting state with no external force applied, and in  FIG. 3 , the cord lock  102  is shown in an engaged state with an external force  112  applied. The force  112  moves components of the cord lock  102  relative to each other, increasing alignment of various pathways within the cord lock  102 . This increased alignment, in turn, reduces restriction on the cord  108  in the cord lock  102 , allowing the cord  108  to slide through the cord lock  102  with less frictional resistance. As shown in  FIGS. 2-3 , the cord lock  102  is at least partially concealed within the article layer  104 . Such concealment may streamline the surface contours of the article  100 , and/or at least partially protect and/or obscure components of the cord lock  102 . 
     The cord lock  102  further includes a first cord-clamp bar  114  having a first-bar body  101  and a second cord-clamp bar  116  having a second-bar body  103 . The first and second cord-clamp bars  114 ,  116  are movably coupled to each other, with a portion of each cord-clamp bar  114 ,  116  extending into and/or through the other cord-clamp bar  114  or  116 . As such, when the cord-clamp bars  114 ,  116  are moved relative to each other, alignment of various through-passages and apertures in the cord lock  102  may occur to reduce restriction on a cord positioned therein. In  FIGS. 2-3 , the cord lock  102  is positioned between a first side  104 A and a second side  104 B of the tubular casing  106 , being located in an interior space  105 . Although shown separate, when assembled, the first and second sides  104 A,  104 B may be of a unitary or composite construction, and may at least partially retain or house the cord lock  102 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4-5 , exploded perspective views of the cord lock  102  shown in  FIGS. 2-3  are provided, in accordance with aspects hereof. The first-bar body  101  of the first cord-clamp bar  114  includes a first side  115  and an opposite second side  117  defining a first thickness  118 , and also, a first aperture  122  and a second aperture  124  that extend through the first thickness  118 . Extending from the second side  117  of the first cord-clamp bar  114  is a first protruding member  126  and a second protruding member  128 . The first and second protruding members  126 ,  128  extend generally perpendicularly from the first cord-clamp bar  114 . The first protruding member  126  includes a first cord-receiving channel  130  (i.e., cord through-channel) and the second protruding member  128  includes a second cord-receiving channel  132  (i.e., cord through-channel). In  FIGS. 4-5 , the first and second apertures  122 ,  124  and first and second cord-receiving channels  130 ,  132  are oriented perpendicularly to each other. In other words, the first and second apertures  122 ,  124  may be viewed as being oriented along a first hypothetical axis, and the first and second cord-receiving channels  130 ,  132  may be viewed as being oriented along a second hypothetical axis that is perpendicular to the first hypothetical axis. 
     The second-bar body  103  of the second cord-clamp bar  116  includes a third side  134  and an opposite fourth side  136  that define a second thickness  120 , and also, a third aperture  138  and a fourth aperture  140  that extend through the second thickness  120 . The third and fourth apertures  138 ,  140  are generally shaped to correspond to the cross-sectional shape of the respective first and second protruding members  126 ,  128  of the first cord-clamp bar  114 . The second cord-clamp bar  116  also includes a first protruding tubular member  146  and a second protruding tubular member  148  that extend from the third side  134  of the second cord-clamp bar  116 . Furthermore, the second cord-clamp bar  116  includes a fifth aperture  142  and a sixth aperture  144  that extend entirely through the second thickness  120  of the second cord-clamp bar  116 , as well as through the respective first and second protruding tubular members  146 ,  148 . The fifth and sixth apertures  142 ,  144  also provide third and fourth cord-receiving channels  150 ,  152  in the respective first and second protruding tubular members  146 ,  148 . 
     The first and second protruding tubular members  146 ,  148  are sized and positioned on the second cord-clamp bar  116  such that they can be movably received in the respective first and second apertures  122 ,  124  of the first cord-clamp bar  114 . A biasing element  154  is coupled between the first and second cord-clamp bars  114 ,  116  to provide a force that elastically resists movement of the first and second cord-clamp bars  114 ,  116  together. As discussed further in later sections, the movement of the first and second protruding members  126 ,  128  through the respective third and fourth apertures  138 ,  140  of the second cord-clamp bar  116  and the movement of the first and second protruding tubular members  146 ,  148  through the respective first and second apertures  122 ,  124  of the first clamp bar  114  provide alignment or de-alignment of various pathways in the cord lock  102 , depending on the direction of movement. This alignment/de-alignment may be used to control an amount of resistance applied to a cord positioned in the cord lock  102  by increasing friction and/or angular direction of the cord in the cord lock  102 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6-7 , the cord lock  102  of  FIGS. 2-5  assembled with a cord positioned therein is provided, in accordance with aspects hereof. In  FIGS. 6-7 , the cord lock  102  includes the cord  108  threaded through the first, second, third, and fourth cord-receiving channels  130 ,  132 ,  150 ,  152 . The biasing element  154  is coupled between the first cord-clamp bar  114  and the second cord-clamp bar  116 , and provides a biasing force against the second side  117  of the first cord-clamp bar  114  and the third side  134  of the second cord-clamp bar  116 . In this respect, when the force  112  is not applied to counteract the biasing force, the first protruding member  126  moves to a first clamping position  156  (shown in  FIG. 6 ) in which a first portion of the first cord-receiving channel  130  is circumscribed by a perimeter of the third aperture  138 , and the second protruding member  128  moves to a second clamping position  157  (shown in  FIG. 6 ) in which a second portion of the second cord-receiving channel  132  is circumscribed by a perimeter of the fourth aperture  140 . In the first and second clamping positions  156 ,  157 , the cord  108  is actively squeezed or forced against an edge of the respective third and fourth apertures  138 ,  140  of the second cord-clamp bar  116 , increasing friction on the cord  108 . 
     When the force  112  is applied to the cord lock  102  to resist the force of the biasing element  154 , as shown in  FIG. 7 , the first protruding member  126  moves to a first release position  158  (shown in  FIG. 7 ) in which a third portion of the first cord-receiving channel  130  is circumscribed by the perimeter of the third aperture  138 , and the second protruding member  128  moves to a second release position  159  (shown in  FIG. 7 ) in which a fourth portion of the second cord-receiving channel  132  is circumscribed by the fourth aperture  140 . In the first and second release positions  158 ,  159 , a cross-sectional area of the first and second cord-receiving channels  130 ,  132  that is exposed from the fourth side  136  of the second clamp bar  116  is greater than in the first and second clamping positions  156 ,  157 . As such, in the first and second release positions  158 ,  159 , the amount of friction applied to the cord  108  is less than in the first and second clamping positions  156 ,  157 , due to the larger portion of the first and second cord-receiving channels  130 ,  132  that is exposed, allowing the cord  108  to slide through the cord lock  102  with less frictional resistance. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 8-9 , cross-section elevation views of the cord lock  102  shown in  FIGS. 2-7  are provided, in accordance with aspects hereof. In  FIGS. 8-9 , the components of the cord lock  102  are again depicted. Additionally, the first protruding member  126  includes a first-protruding-member thickness  160  and the third aperture  138  includes a third-aperture width  162 , the third-aperture width  162  being larger than the first-protruding-member thickness  160 , such as by an amount that is less than double a thickness  161  of the cord  108 . The second protruding member  128  includes a second-protruding-member thickness  164  and the fourth aperture  140  includes a fourth-aperture width  166 . The fourth-aperture width  166  may be larger than the second-protruding-member thickness  164 , such as by an amount that is less than double the thickness  161  of the cord  108 . 
     As further shown in  FIGS. 8-9 , the first protruding tubular member  146  includes a first tubular wall  147  that at least partially circumscribes the fifth aperture  142  and the third cord-receiving channel  150 , and the second protruding tubular member  148  further includes a second tubular wall  149  that at least partially circumscribes the sixth aperture  144  and the fourth cord-receiving channel  152 . As shown in  FIG. 9 , the application of the force  112  to the cord lock  102  adjusts the part of the tubular walls  147 ,  149  positioned in the respective first and second apertures  122 ,  124  of the first cord-clamp bar  114 , and provides greater linearity of the path of the cord  108  between the first and third cord-receiving channels  130 ,  150  and between the second and fourth cord-receiving channels  132 ,  152  which, in turn, reduces friction and resistance on the cord  108 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , a partial, exploded, perspective view of an article  200  incorporating the cord lock  102  is provided, in accordance with an aspect hereof.  FIG. 10  once again depicts the cord lock  102  and the components thereof, in addition to a first textile layer  168  having first and second textile apertures  174 ,  176  circumscribed by first and second aperture collars  175 ,  177  that form a perimeter around the first and second textile apertures  174 ,  176 . The article  200  further includes first and second grommets  190 ,  192  that may be coupled to the cord lock  102  and to the first textile layer  168 . The first textile layer  168  includes a first surface  170  and a second surface  172 , with the first and second textile apertures  174 ,  176  extending through a thickness  169  of the first textile layer  168  between the first surface  170  and the second surface  172 . Accordingly, when the article  200  is assembled, at least a portion of the first protruding tubular member  146  may extend into and/or through the first textile aperture  174 , and at least a portion of the second protruding tubular member  148  may extend into and/or through the second textile aperture  176 . 
     The first and second grommets  190 ,  192  shown in  FIG. 10  may be configured to be joined to the first textile layer  168  and/or to the cord lock  102 . The first grommet  190  includes a first-grommet flange  194  that may be coupled to the first surface  170  of the first textile layer  168  or to the first or second side  115 ,  117  of the first cord-clamp bar  114 , and the second grommet  192  includes a second-grommet flange  196  that may be coupled to the first surface  170  of the first textile layer  168  or to the first or second side  115 ,  117  of the first cord-clamp bar  114 , to secure the cord lock  102  to the first textile layer  168 . The coupling between the first and second grommets  190 ,  192  and the first textile layer  168  or the cord lock  102  may utilize adhesive, frictional coupling, welding (e.g., ultrasonic welding), hook-and-loop fasteners, and/or another attachment method. 
     Furthermore, in another sense, the first and second grommets  190 ,  192  may be coupled to, and/or inserted through, the first cord-clamp bar  114  from the first surface  170  and through the first textile layer  168 , such that the first and second grommet flanges  194 ,  196  are positioned against or abut the first surface  170  of the first textile layer  168 . Alternatively, the first and second grommets  190 ,  192  may be coupled to, and/or inserted through, the first cord-clamp bar  114  from the second side  117  of the first cord-clamp bar  114 , such that the first and second grommet flanges  194 ,  196  are positioned against or abut the second side  117  of the first cord-clamp bar  114 . In this sense, the first and second grommets  190 ,  192  may be inserted through either side  115 ,  117  of the first cord-clamp bar  114  and/or either side of the first textile layer  168 , in exemplary aspects. 
     Referring to  FIG. 11 , a partial, elevation, cross-section view of an article  300  incorporating the cord lock  102  is provided, in accordance with an aspect hereof. In  FIG. 11 , the cord lock  102  and the components thereof are once again shown. The first side  115  of the first cord-clamp bar  114  is adjacent and coupled to the second surface  172  of the first textile layer  168 . The first and second protruding tubular members  146 ,  148  extend at least partially through the first and second textile apertures  174 ,  176 , thereby also extending the third and fourth cord-receiving channels  150 ,  152  through the first and second textile apertures  174 ,  176 . As a result, a path for the cord  108  to pass through the first textile layer  168  is provided. The first and second grommets  190 ,  192  are coupled to the respective first and second aperture collars  175 ,  177  and to the cord lock  102 , with the first and second grommet flanges  194 ,  196  coupled to the first surface  170  of the first textile layer  168 . In alternate aspects, the first and second grommet flanges  194 ,  196  may be coupled to the second side  117  of the first cord-clamp bar  114 , or to another part of the cord lock  102 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 11 , the cord  108  passes sequentially through the first cord-receiving channel  130 , the third cord-receiving channel  150 , the fourth cord-receiving channel  152 , and the second cord-receiving channel  132 . In the aspect shown in  FIG. 11 , the first cord-clamp bar  114  and the second cord-clamp bar  116  are oriented such that they are movable relative to each other along a hypothetical axis of the first and second textile apertures  174 ,  176 . In other words, a force applied against the cord lock  102  along the hypothetical axis of the first and second textile apertures  174 ,  176  may move the first and second cord-clamp bars  114 ,  116  relative to each other, increasing or decreasing resistance on the cord  108  positioned in the cord lock  102 . 
     Further provided in  FIG. 11  is a second textile layer  180 . In aspects, the second textile layer  180  may be secured to the cord lock  102  (e.g., to the first and second protruding members  126 ,  128 ), or may be unsecured from the cord lock  102  (i.e., free-floating relative to the cord lock  102 ). The second textile layer  180  includes a third surface  181  and a fourth surface  182 . The third surface  181  faces towards, and is spaced apart from, the second surface  172  of the first textile layer  168 . Additionally, the first and second cord-clamp bars  114 ,  116  are positioned between the second surface  172  of the first textile layer  168  and the third surface  181  of the second textile layer  180 . The first textile layer  168  and the second textile layer  180  may be coupled to form a tubular sleeve  184  (e.g., through a unitary or composite construction), which may be similar to or the same as the tubular casing  106  shown in  FIG. 1 . In  FIG. 11 , the cord  108  includes a first cord portion  185  that is enclosed by the tubular sleeve  184 , a second cord portion  186  that is not enclosed by the tubular sleeve  184 , and a third cord portion  187  that is enclosed by the tubular sleeve  184 . The second cord portion  186  extends directly from the third cord-receiving channel  150  to the fourth cord-receiving channel  152 . 
     In an exemplary implementation and use, the cord lock  102  may be incorporated into a cuff, sleeve, layer, or other portion of an article. The cord lock  102  may be engaged by a user squeezing the cuff, sleeve, layer, or other portion of the article to move the first and second cord-clamp bars  114 ,  116  together, providing greater alignment of apertures and through-channels in the cord lock  102 . As a result, restriction on the cord  108  positioned in the cord lock  102  is reduced, and a user may pull on the looped portion  110  of the cord  108  to adjust its length as desired with less resistance than when the cord lock  102  is in a resting state with no force applied. Upon removing the force to the cuff, sleeve, layer, or other portion of the article, the first and second cord-clamp bars  114 ,  116  will once again move apart, increasing frictional resistance on the cord  108 . 
     From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all the ends and objects hereinabove set forth together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the structure. It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims. Since many possible aspects may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and non-limiting.