WO1994009665A1

WO1994009665A1 - Fastener and fastener system for shoe-lasting applications

Info

Publication number: WO1994009665A1
Application number: PCT/US1993/010358
Authority: WO
Inventors: F. Gerard Merser
Original assignee: Avery Dennison Corporation
Priority date: 1992-10-29
Filing date: 1993-10-28
Publication date: 1994-05-11
Also published as: AU5542294A; KR950703876A

Abstract

A fastener (11) for tying together a pair of shoelace eyelets (E) on a shoe upper (U) in such a way as to maintain the appropriate spacing therebetween while the shoe upper (U) is being lasted. The fastener (11) can be a unitary plastic member shaped to include an elongated flexible filament (17) having a cross bar (13) at one end and a paddle (15) at the opposite end, the paddle (15) being provided with two or more alternative openings (19) through which the cross bar (13) may be inserted to form a loop. The plastic fastener (113) may alternatively have a first cross bar (17) at a first end, a second cross bar (115) at a second end with a filament portion (119) interconnecting the cross bars (17, 115), and a plastic retaining tab (121). The retaining tab (121) being appropriately constructed so that the first cross bar (17) and the second cross bar (115) may be inserted therethrough for securement to tab (121).

Description

FASTENER AND FASTENER SYSTEM FOR SHOE-LASTING APPLICATIONS

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to fasteners and fastener systems for use in shoe lasting and other applications. Shoe-lasting is a technique commonly employed in the manufacture of footwear for working a shoe upper into its proper from prior to the attachment of a sole thereto. Typically, shoe-lasting comprises placing an unworked shoe upper over a shoe last, i.e., a mandrel having a shape similar to a shoe-tree, and then heating and pulling the shoe upper around the shoe until the upper conforms generally to the shape of the shoe last.

For shoes of the type that are provided with shoelace eyelets, the above- described technique can pose a problem since the tensioning of the shoe upper around the shoe last can cause the spacing between opposing eyelets on the upper to deviate from what it should be. One approach that has been used to maintain the proper spacing between opposing eyelets on the upper has been to tie together the eyelets with string or the like. Typically, this tying operation is performed with a specifically-designed machine. However, machines of this type have not been made for several years and are, therefore, quite old. In addition, such machines are rather difficult and costly to maintain and use. Another approach that has been used to maintain the proper spacing between opposing eyelets of a shoe upper during shoe-lasting has been to couple together pairs of opposing eyelets on the upper using plastic fasteners of the type comprising an elongated filament terminating at opposing ends in a cross-bar. To attach the fastener to a shoe upper, one of the cross-bars is inserted through a pair of opposing eyelets on the shoe upper, the other cross-bar not being inserted through either of the eyelets. The cross-bars are appropriately sized so that the fastener cannot easily be pulled through either of the eyelets.

The aforementioned fastener, however, has not been found to be entirely satisfactory in shoe-lasting applications. This is because, where the eyelets of the upper are relatively large compared to the size of the cross-bars, the magnitude of the force used to pull the upper over the shoe-last is often so great as to cause at least one of the cross-bars to be bent inwardly and then pulled through its respective eyelet.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and novel fastener that may be used to tie together a pair of shoelace eyelets of a shoe upper in such a way as to maintain the appropriate spacing between the eyelets while the shoe upper is being lasted.

According to one feature of the invention, a fastener is provided which comprises (a) an elongated filament having a first end and a second end, (b) a cross-bar disposed at said first end of said elongated filament, and (c) a paddle disposed at said second end of said elongated filament, said paddle being provided with two or more openings located at different points along the length of said paddle through which said cross-bar may alternatively be inserted to form a loop.

The fastener is preferably a unitary structure made of molded plastic. The paddle may additionally be provided with one or more registration openings which may be used to position the paddle so that the cross-bar may be aligned with and easily inserted through any one of said two or more cross-bar openings.

Alternatively, instead of using registration openings to position the paddle, a feed bar connected to the fastener may be used to position the paddle.

According to another feature of the invention a method is provided for tying together a pair of shoelace eyelets on a shoe upper in such a way as to maintain the appropriate spacing between the eyelets while the shoe upper is being lasted which comprises the steps of (a) providing a fastener comprising (i) an elongated filament having a first end and a second end, (ii) a cross-bar disposed at said first end of said elongated filament, and (iii) a paddle disposed at said second end of said elongated filament, said paddle being provided with one or more openings through which said cross-bar may be inserted to form a loop, and (b) inserting said cross-bar first through the pair of shoe lace eyelets on the shoe upper and then through one of said one or more openings in said paddle to form a loop.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a system is provided for coupling together opposing eyelets of an upper during shoe-lasting, the system broadly comprising (a) a fastener comprising an elongated filament having a first end and a second end, a first cross-bar at said first end and a second cross-bar at said second end; and (b) a retaining tab, the retaining tab being appropriately constructed so that the first cross-bar and the second cross-bar may be inserted therethrough for securement thereto.

Preferably, the fastener of the system is made of plastic and is capable of being mass produced in a conventional manner as part of a quantity of continuously connected fastener stock. In addition, the retaining tab is preferably also made of plastic and may be formed by extrusion or the like as part of a length of retaining tab stock. Accordingly, using an automated apparatus, an individual fastener can be dispensed from a quantity of fastener stock and attached via its first and second cross-bars to a retaining tab, which may already be or may subsequently be severed from a length of retaining tab stock.

Preferably, the first cross-bar of the fastener of the system is appropriately sized for insertion through a pair of opposing eyelets of a shoe upper. In addition, the filament portion of the fastener is appropriately sized so that, when the first cross-bar is inserted through a pair of opposing eyelets of a shoe upper and the first and second cross-bars are inserted through the retaining tab, the pair of opposing eyelets are tied together in such a way as to maintain the appropriate spacing between the eyelets while the shoe upper is being lasted.

The retaining tab may be provided with openings through which the first and second cross-bars may be inserted.

As can readily be appreciated, because, prior to the insertion of the cross¬ bars through the retaining tab, the fastener is not physically connected to the retaining tab, one should not experience any difficulties in maintaining alignment of the retaining tab with the eyelets of the shoe upper as the first cross-bar is being inserted therethrough.

According to another aspect of the invention, a method of tying together a pair of opposing shoelace eyelets of a shoe upper in such a way as to maintain the appropriate spacing between the eyelets while the shoe upper is being lasted is disclosed, the method broadly comprising the steps of (a) providing a fastener having a first cross-bar at a first end, a second cross-bar at a second end and an appropriately sized filament portion interconnecting the first and second cross-bars, the first cross-bar being sized for insertion through the pair of opposing eyelets of the shoe upper; (b) providing a retaining tab, the retaining tab being appropriately constructed so that the first cross-bar and second cross-bar may be inserted therethrough for securement thereto; (c) inserting the first cross-bar first through the pair of opposing eyelets of the shoe upper and then through the retaining tab; and (d) inserting the second cross-bar through the retaining tab.

According to still another aspect of the invention, an apparatus is disclosed for dispensing the component pairs of the fastener/retaining tab system of this invention, the apparatus broadly comprising (a) means for dispensing a retaining tab; and (b) means for dispensing a fastener, the fastener having a first cross-bar at a first end, a second cross-bar at a second end, and a filament portion interconnecting the first cross-bar and the second cross-bar, the first and second cross-bars being insertable through the retaining tab.

As can readily be appreciated, the aforementioned apparatus can be used to attach the above-described fastener system to a shoe upper for shoe-lasting applications by properly aligning a shoe upper relative to the apparatus so that one of the cross-bars of a fastener is inserted through a pair of opposing eyelets of the shoe upper prior to its insertion through the retaining tab.

Additional objects, as well as features and advantages, of the present invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description or may be learned by practice of the invention. In the description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part thereof and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments for practicing the invention. These embodiments will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings, which are hereby incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate various embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings wherein like reference numerals represent like parts:

Fig. 1 is a front view of a first embodiment of a fastener constructed according to the teachings of the present invention for tying together a pair of opposing eyelets on a shoe upper in such a way as to maintain the proper spacing therebetween while the shoe upper is being lasted; Fig. 2 is a section view of the fastener shown in Fig. 1 taken along line A-A;

Fig. 3 is a top perspective view illustrating how the fastener of Fig. 1 may be used to tie may be used to tie together a pair of opposing eyelets of a shoe upper in such a way as to maintain the proper spacing therebetween while the shoe upper is being lasted; Fig. 4 is a front view of a second embodiment of a fastener constructed according to the teachings of the present invention for tying together a pair of opposing eyelets on a shoe upper in such a way as to maintain the proper spacing therebetween while the shoe upper is being lasted;

Fig. 5 is a section view of the fastener shown in Fig. 4 taken along line 8-8; Fig. 6 is a front perspective view of a platen adapted to engage the paddle of the fastener shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a front view of a quantity of continuously connected fastener stock constructed according to the teachings of the present invention, the continuously connected fastener stock including a third embodiment of a fastener for typing together a pair of opposing eyelets on a shoe upper in such a way as to maintain the proper spacing therebetween while the shoe upper is being lasted;

Fig. 8 is a front view of a fourth embodiment of a fastener constructed according to the teachings of the present invention for tying together a pair of opposing eyelets on a shoe upper in such a way as to maintain the proper spacing therebetween while the shoe upper is being lasted;

Fig. 9 is a section view of the fastener shown in Fig. 8 taken along line C-C; Fig. 10 is an enlarged top view of a fastener system constructed according to the teachings of the present invention for tying together a pair of opposing shoelace eyelets of a shoe upper in such a way as to maintain the appropriate spacing between the eyelets while the shoe upper is being lasted; Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the fastener system shown in Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a perspective view showing how the fastener system shown in Fig. 10 may be used to tie together a pair of opposing shoelace eyelets of a show upper in such a way as to maintain the appropriate spacing between the eyelets while the shoe upper is being lasted; and Fig. 13 is a fragmentary front view of the fastener system and shoe upper shown in Fig. 12; and

Fig. 14 is a block diagram of one embodiment of an apparatus for dispensing the component parts of the fastener system shown in Fig. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2, there is shown a first embodiment of a fastener constructed according to the teachings of the present invention for tying together a pair of opposing eyelets on a shoe upper in such a way as to maintain the proper spacing therebetween while the shoe upper is being lasted, the fastener being represented generally by reference numeral 11.

Fastener 11 is a unitary plastic member shaped to include a cross-bar 13 at one end, a paddle 15 at the opposite end, and an elongated flexible filament 17 interconnecting cross-bar 13 and paddle 15. A plurality of openings 19-1 through 19-3 are provided along the length of paddle 15. As will be discussed below in greater detail, each of openings 19-1 through 19-3 is appropriately sized and shaped so that the ends of fastener 11 may be secured together by inserting cross-bar 13 through one of openings 19-1 through 19-3 to form a loop. As can readily be appreciated, because openings 19- 1 through 19-3 are disposed at different points along the length of paddle 15, eyelets of different spacings can be tied together using fastener 11 merely by inserting cross-bar 13 through different openings 19-1 through 19-3. (This variability of use in fastener 11 obviates the need for filaments of different lengths.)

Fastener 11 may be molded as part of a quantity of continuously connected fastener stock of the type described in either U.S. Pat. No. 3,103,666 or U.S. Pat.

No. 4,955,475, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

Referring now to Fig. 3, the manner in which fastener 11 may be used to tie together a pair of shoelace eyelets E₁ and E₂ of a shoe upper U in such a way as to maintain the proper spacing therebetween is illustrated. To attach fastener 11 to upper U in the manner shown, paddle 15 is first positioned so that opening 19-1 is aligned with eyelet E₂. Filament 17 is then drawn over upper U to eyelet E.,, and cross-bar 13 is inserted first through eyelets E₁ and E₂, respectively, and then through opening 19-1 in paddle 15.

Where the appropriate spacing between a pair of opposing eyelets is greater than that shown for eyelets E₁ and E₂ (see, for example, in Fig. 3 the spacing between eyelets E₃ and E₄ and between eyelets E₅ and E₆), cross-bar 13 may be inserted through either opening 19-2 or opening 19-3 using essentially the same technique as described above. Accordingly, one could use a plurality of identical fasteners 11 to tie together several pairs of differently-spaced eyelets on a single shoe upper by appropriately selecting the opening 19 which results in a loop which most closely conforms to the spacing between the pair of eyelets in question.

Insertion of cross-bar 13 through a pair of opposing eyelets and any one of openings 19-1 through 19-3 may be done manually, with the aid of a conventional tagging gun, or by an automated machine.

After shoe-lasting is completed, fastener 11 may be severed with a knife or the like and then removed from the shoe upper.

In addition to being used in the manner described above to tie together shoelace eyelets of a shoe upper, fastener 11 can also be used to attach tags to articles of commerce, such as sunglasses and handbags, which are difficult to tag using conventional cross-bar and paddle-type fasteners. Referring now to Figs. 4 and 5, there is shown a second embodiment of a fastener constructed according to the teachings of the present invention for tying together a pair of opposing eyelets on a shoe upper in such a way as to maintain the appropriate spacing therebetween while the shoe upper is being lasted, the fastener being represented generally by reference numeral 31. Fastener 31 is generally similar in size, shape and construction to fastener

11, fastener 31 also being a unitary plastic member shaped to include a cross-bar 33, a paddle 35 and an elongated flexible filament 37. Fastener 31 differs, however, from fastener 11 in that paddle 35 is provided with a pair of cross-bar openings 39-1 and 39-2 and a pair of registration openings 41-1 and 41-2. Registration openings 41-1 and 41-2, which are adapted to be engaged by a pair of located probes 43-1 and 43-2, respectively, located on a platen 45 (see Fig. 6), serve to properly position paddle 35 so that cross-bar 33 may be easily aligned with an inserted through either or openings 39-1 and 39-2. Fastener 31 may otherwise be used in the same manner described above in connection with fastener 11. Fastener 31 may be molded as part of a quantity of continuously connected fastener stock of the type described in U.S. p[at. Nos. 3,103,666 and 4,955,475.

Referring now to Fig. 7, there is shown a quantity of continuously molded plastic fastener stock constructed according to the teachings of the present invention, the fastener stock being represented generally by reference numeral 51.

Fastener stock 51 includes a plurality of fasteners 53-1 through 53-4, fasteners 53 also being adapted for tying together opposing eyelets on a shoe upper in such a way as to maintain the proper spacing therebetween while the shoe upper is being lasted. Fasteners 53 which constitute a third embodiment of fasteners according to this invention are generally similar in size, shape and construction to fastener 11, each fastener 53 including a cross-bar 55, a paddle 57 and an elongated flexible filament 59 interconnecting cross-bar 55 and paddle 57. Fasteners 53 differ from fastener 11 in that, for purposes of simplicity and clarity, each paddle 57 includes a pair of cross-bar openings 59 and 61. Cross-bars 55-1 through 55-4 are joined together by a plurality of severable connectors 63-1 through 63-3, respectively. Paddles 57-1 through 57-4 are joined together by a plurality of severable connectors 65-1 through 65-3, respectively. An elongated feed element 67 is joined to fasteners 53-1 through 53-4 by a plurality of severable connectors 69-1 through 69-4, respectively. The function of feed element 67, which may be handled either manually or by a suitable automated device, is to properly position fasteners 53-1 through 53-4 so that each cross-bar 55 may be easily aligned with and inserted through either opening 59 or opening 61 of its respective paddle 57.

Referring now to Figs. 8 and 9, there is shown a fourth embodiment of a fastener constructed according to the teachings of the present invention for tying together a pair of opposing eyelets on a shoe upper in such a way as to maintain the proper spacing therebetween while the shoe upper is being lasted, the fastener being represented generally by reference numeral 101.

Fastener 101 is a unitary plastic member shaped to include a paddle 103, a pair of elongated flexible filaments 105-1 and 105-2, and a pair of cross-bars 107-1 and 107-2. A pair of cross-bar openings 109-1 and 109-2 are spaced along the length of paddle 103, each of openings 109-1 and 109-2 being adapted to receive one or both of cross-bars 107-1 and 107-2.

Fastener 101 may be molded as part of a quantity of continuously connected fastener stock of the type described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,103,666 and 4,955,475. Fastener 101 may be used in essentially the same way as fastener 11 , with one or both of cross-bars 107-1 and 107-2 being inserted through either of openings 109-1 and 109-2 of paddle 103. As can readily be appreciated, insertion of both cross-bars 107, as opposed to a single cross-bar, through one of openings 109 increases the binding strength of fastener 101. Referring now to Figs. 10 and 11, there are shown enlarged top and perspective views, respectively of one embodiment of a fastener system constructed according to the teachings of the present invention, the fastener system being represented generally by reference numeral 111.

Fastener system 111 includes a fastener 113. Fastener 113 is an elongated unitary plastic member shaped to include a first cross-bar 115 and 117. For reasons to be discussed below, at least cross-bar 115 and filament portion 119 are appropriately sized in cross-sectional diameter so as to be insertable through a pair of opposing eyelets of a shoe upper.

Fastener 113 may be molded as part of a quantity of continuously connected fastener stock.

Fastener system 111 also includes a retaining tab 121. Retaining tab 121 includes a pair of openings 123 and 125, which are appropriately dimensioned so that cross-bars 115 and 117, respectively, may be inserted therethrough in such a way as to secure fastener 113 to tab 121. Retaining tab 121 is preferably made from extruded plastic and may be formed as part of a length of retaining tab stock (not shown). Such retaining tab stock could be provided with perforations or the like connecting adjacent retainer tabs to facilitate severing individual retaining tabs from the remainder of the stock.

Referring now to Figs. 12 and 13, the manner in which fastener system 111 may be used to tie together a pair of opposing shoelace eyelets E., and E₂ of shoe upper U in such a way as to maintain the proper spacing therebetween is illustrated. As can be seen, to attach fastener system 111 to upper U as shown, one must (1) insert cross-bar 115 first through eyelets E₁ and E₂ of upper U and then through openings 123 of tab 121 ; and (2) insert cross-bar 117 directly through opening 125 of tab 121. As can readily be appreciated, for best results in maintaining a desired spacing between opposing eyelets of a shoe upper, filament portion 119 of fastener 113 preferably has a length / (see Fig. 11) which approximates slightly more than the desired spacing between the opposing eyelets. Consequently, when using fastener system 111 to tie together multiple pairs of eyelets of a shoe upper (such as eyelets E₁ and E₂, E₃ and E₄ and E₅ and E₆ in the upper shown in Fig. 12) it will often be necessary to use fasteners 113 of different filament lengths.

Insertion of cross-bars 115 and 117 of fastener 113 through openings 123 and 125, respectively, may be accomplished manually, or with the aid of a fastener dispensing gun or machines. As can readily be appreciated, the use of a fastener dispenser gun or fastener dispensing machine may be highly desirable if individual fasteners 113 need to be dispensed from fastener stock in addition to being manipulated in the manner described above.

It should be understood that retaining tab 121 need not be provided with pre¬ existing openings through which cross-bars 115 and 117 may be inserted so long as retaining tab 121 is made of a material through which cross-bars 115 and 117 may be inserted, either by applying force thereto and/or with the aid of a tagging gun needle or otherwise. One advantage to not having pre-existing openings in retaining tab 121 is that precise alignment of cross-bars 115 and 117 with said openings is not required. Also, the fasteners need not be the straight type as shown in figs. 10 an 11 but could be curved or looped or u shaped.

Referring now to Fig. 13, there is shown a block diagram of a fastener apparatus constructed according to the teachings of the present invention for dispensing the component parts of the fastener system of this invention, the fastener apparatus being represented generally by reference numeral 151. Fastener apparatus 151 includes a device 153 for dispensing retaining tabs.

Device 153 may either be constructed to dispense a length of tab stock wherein the individual retaining tabs must then be severed from one another by the user or be constructed to dispense individual tabs (i.e. tabs already severed from the tab stock).

Apparatus 151 also includes a device 161 for dispensing individual fasteners

113. Device 61 preferably includes a pair of feed mechanisms, each arranged to eject one of the cross-bars of a fastener 113 being dispensed. The two feed mechanisms may be arranged to operate simultaneously using either spare trigger devices or one common trigger device or may be arranged to operate sequentially.

As can readily be appreciated, the aforementioned fastener apparatus can be used to attach the above-described fastener system to a shoe upper for shoe- lasting applications by properly aligning a shoe upper relative to the fastener apparatus so that one of the cross-bars of a loop fastener is inserted through a pair of opposing eyelets of the shoe upper prior to its insertion through the retaining tab stock.

It should be understood that fastener system 111 and fastener apparatus 151 can be used for purposes other than tying together a pair of opposing eyelets of a shoe upper for maintaining a desired spacing therebetween while the shoe upper is being lasted.

After shoe-lasting has been completed, fastener system 111 may be removed from shoe upper U, for example, by severing filament portion 119, with a knife or the like.

The embodiments of the present invention recited wherein are intended to be merely exemplary and those skilled in the art will be able to make numerous variations and modifications to it without departing form the spirit of the present invention. All such variations and modifications are intended to be within the scope of the present invention as defined by the claims appended hereto.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A fastener comprising:

(a) an elongated flexible filament having a first end and a second end;

(b) a cross-bar disposed at said first end of said elongated flexible filament; and

(c) a paddle disposed at said second end of said elongated flexible filament, said paddle being provided with two or more alternative openings through which said cross-bar may be inserted to form a loop.

2. The fastener as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least two of said two or more alternative openings are located at different points along the length of said paddle so that different sized loops may be formed.

3. The fastener as claimed in claim 1 wherein said paddle also includes registration means for use in positioning said paddle so that said cross-bar may be aligned with and easily inserted through one of said two or more alternative openings.

4. The fastener as claimed in claim 1 wherein said paddle is provided with three alternative openings.

5. The fastener as claimed in claim 1 wherein said cross-bar, said paddle and said elongated flexible filament are integrally formed from molded plastic.

6. A quantity of fastener stock comprising:

(a) a unitary plastic fastener shaped to define

(i) an elongated flexible filament having a first end and a second end, a cross-bar disposed at said first end of said elongated filament, and

(iii) a paddle disposed at said second end of said elongated filament, said paddle being provided with at least one opening through which said cross-bar may be inserted to form a loop; and

(b) a feed element for positioning said paddle so that said cross-bar may be aligned with and easily inserted into said opening.

7. The quantity of fastener stock as claimed in claim 6 wherein said feed element is severably connected to said paddle.

8. The quantity of fastener stock as claimed in claim 7 wherein said unitary plastic fastener and said feed element are integrally formed from molded plastic.

9. The quantity of fastener stock as claimed in claim 6 wherein said paddle is provided with two or more alternative openings through which said cross-bar may be inserted to form a loop.

10. The quantity of fastener stock as claimed in claim 9 wherein at least two of said two or more alternative openings are disposed at different points along the length of said paddle so that different sized loops may be formed.

11. A fastener comprising:

(a) an elongated flexible filament having a first end and a second end;

(b) a cross-bar disposed at said first end of said elongated flexible filament; and (c) a paddle disposed at said second end of said elongated flexible filament, said paddle having at least one opening through which said cross-bar may be inserted to form a loop and registration means for use in positioning said paddle so that said cross-bar may be aligned with and easily inserted through said at least one opening.

12. A fastener comprising:

(a) a paddle, said paddle being provided with at least one opening;

(b) a pair of elongated flexible filaments, each of said elongated flexible filaments having a first end and a second end, said second ends being connected to said paddle; and (c) a pair of cross-bars, one of said cross-bars being disposed at said first end of one of said elongated flexible filaments, the other of said cross-bars being disposed at said first end of the other of said elongated flexible filaments, said cross-board being independently insertable through said at least one opening.

13. The fastener as claimed in claim 12 wherein said paddle is provided with two or more alternative openings through which said cross-bars may be inserted.

14. The fastener and claimed in claim 13 wherein at least two or said two or more alternative openings are disposed at different points along the length of said paddle.

15. A method of tying together a pair of shoelace eyelets on a shoe upper in such a way as to maintain the appropriate spacing therebetween while the shoe upper is being lasted, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a fastener comprising:

(i) an elongated flexible filament having a first end and a second end, (ii) a cross-bar disposed at said first end of said elongated filament, and

(iii) a paddle disposed at said second end of said elongated flexibie filament, said paddle being provided with one or more openings through which said cross-bar may be inserted to form a loop of appropriate size to maintain the proper spacing between a pair of shoelace eyelets on a shoe upper while the shoe upper is being lasted; and

(b) inserting said cross-bar first through the pair of shoelace eyelets on the shoe upper and then through one of said one or more openings in said paddle to form said loop.

16. A fastener system comprising:

(a) a fastener, said fastener comprising an elongated filament having a first end and a second end, a first cross-bar at said first end and a second cross¬ bar at said second end; and

17. The fastener system as claimed in claim 16 wherein said retaining tab is provided with a first opening through which said first cross-bar may be inserted and second opening through which said second cross-bar may be inserted.

18. The fastener system as claimed in claim 16 wherein said fastener and said retaining tab are made of plastic.

19. The fastener system as claimed in claim 18 wherein said fastener is formed as part of a quantity of continuously connected fastener stock.

20. The fastener system as claimed in claim 18 wherein said retaining tab is formed as part of a quantity of retaining tab stock.

21. A method of tying together a pair of opposing shoelace eyelets of a shoe upper in such a way as to maintain the appropriate spacing between the eyelets while the shoe upper is being lasted, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a fastener, said fastener having a first cross-bar at a first end, a second cross-bar at a second end and an appropriately sized filament portion interconnecting said first and said second cross-bars, said first cross-bar being sized for insertion through the pair of opposing eyelets of the shoe upper;

(b) providing a retaining tab, said retaining tab being appropriately constructed so that said first cross-bar and said second cross-bar may be inserted therethrough for securement thereto;

(c) inserting said first cross-bar first through the pair of opposing eyelets of the shoe upper and then through said retaining ta; and

22. A fastener system dispensing apparatus comprising:

(a) means for dispensing a retaining tab from retaining tab stock; and

(b) means for dispensing a fastener from fastener stock, the fastener having a first cross-bar at a first end, a second cross-bar at a second end, and a filament portion interconnecting the first cross-bar and the second cross-bar, the first and second cross-bars being insertable through the retaining tab, and for attaching the fastener to the retaining tab by inserting the first and second cross¬ bars through the retaining tab.