US Patent 7946007 Device for blocking flexible strands

A blocking device adapted to act on at least one lace or strand, the blocking device including a body, a first cavity defining a first pathway for the strand, the device including a first blocking member, a first guide for guiding the first blocking member relative to the body, and first elastic member to bias the first blocking member in a direction to press the strand against a surface of the pathway, the device functioning by cooperation of a first blocking member with the first pathway for blocking the strand by a wedging effect. The first cavity is open, so as to enable the strand to be inserted and disengaged in a direction other than that of the pathway.