Patent ID: 8850675

Claim:
A flexible fastening device for fastening a first hole, eyelet, loop, or hook on an article of footwear or apparel and a second hole, eyelet, loop, or hook on the article of footwear or apparel, the fastening device having a one-piece body comprising: first means for coupling, said first means for coupling including a first end portion; second means for coupling, said second means for coupling including a second end portion; and adjoining means for adjoining said first and second means for coupling, said adjoining means including a body portion between said first end portion and said second end portion, wherein the body portion is flexible and is configured and operative to flex such that said first and second end portions can be removably coupled together or such that said first end portion can be removably coupled to the first hole, eyelet, loop, or hook on an article of footwear or apparel and said second end portion can be removably coupled to the second hole, eyelet, loop, or hook on the article of footwear or apparel, wherein said first end portion defines a ring and has a single, flexible elongate digit as an extremity of the device, said second end portion is coupled to said first end portion via said body portion and has a wall having a projection extending therefrom and which defines a first opening which provides access to a channel surrounded by said second end portion, wherein the inside of the ring of said first end portion is sized to fit around the projection, and the first opening and the channel are sized such that the digit fits therethrough and therein, respectively, with a base of the digit arranged adjacent to the first opening, further wherein said second end portion further includes a second opening on a side of said device opposite a side of said device associated with the wall and the projection, the second opening providing access to the channel.