Patent ID: 8215033

Claim:
An article of footwear, comprising: a harness, the harness including a base layer and a threading layer, the threading layer configured to attach to the base layer; the threading layer comprising threads arranged in a first thread group and a second thread group; the first thread group including a first end portion and a second end portion, wherein the threads extend radially outward from the first end portion to the second end portion; the second thread group including a third end portion and a fourth end portion, wherein the threads extend radially outward from the third end portion to the fourth end portion; the first end portion of the first thread group being substantially spaced apart from the third end portion of the second thread group by a thread gap; wherein the base layer includes a notch associated with the thread gap; wherein the base layer includes a tab portion; the harness further comprising: a peripheral layer configured to oppose the threading layer, the peripheral layer having a tab portion configured to oppose the base layer tab portion and at least one of the first end portion, the second end portion, the third end portion, and the fourth end portion; and a lace connection loop formed by the base layer tab portion, the peripheral tab portion and at least one of the first end portion, the second end portion, the third end portion, and the fourth end portion arranged generally in a stack having a length, the stack folded over along its length to form a loop portion and attached to at least one of the base layer and the peripheral layer.