Decoratable shoe

Abstract

A decoratable shoe, and methods of making and decorating the shoe, are disclosed. The decoratable shoe comprises a shoe having a surface and a chalkboard marking surface disposed on the surface.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/491,169, filed Jul. 30, 2003; U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/508,170, filed Oct. 2, 2003; and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/548,844, filed Feb. 27, 2004.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This application relates to decoratable shoes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It has been desired to provide shoes which can readily be decorated. However in the past, it typically has been difficult to erase the decoration, so that shoes can be redecorated.

The present invention is provided to solve this and other problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the detailed description of the preferred embodiment, which is made with reference to the drawings, a brief description of which is provided below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of one embodiment of a decoratable shoe, and a stick of chalk, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the decoratable shoe of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3A is a side view of a second embodiment of a decoratable shoe in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3B is a side view of a third embodiment of a decoratable shoe in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a keychain eraser in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Modifications and alternative embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the foregoing description. This description is to be construed as illustrative only, and is for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the best mode of carrying out the invention. The details of the structure and method may be varied substantially without departing from the spirit of the invention, and the exclusive use of all modifications which come within the scope of the appended claims is reserved.

Shoes 8 that people can decorate, and subsequently redecorate, are disclosed. The shoes 8 include a blackboard marking surface 10 (illustrated as diagonal lines). The marking surface 10 is formed by applying blackboard paint, blackboard vinyl, blackboard adhesive paper, or the like, to the shoe 8. Chalk 12, white or of different colors, is utilized to decorate the marking surface 10, such as by writing names of people and/or drawing pictures, such as a heart or a butterfly.

The shoes 8 can be any type of shoe, such as flip flop shoes 20 (FIGS. 1 and 2), platform shoes, platform flip flops, sandals, sneakers, gym shoes, high heels, oxfords, boots, or the like. The marking surface 10 can be located on various parts of the shoe, such as on a peripheral surface 24 of a sole 26 of the shoe (FIG. 3A), or on an exposed surface 28 of an upper 30 of the shoe (FIG. 3B). In the case of flip flop shoes or sandals, the marking surface 10 can also be located on an exposed upper sole surface 32 of the sole 26 (FIG. 2).

An eraser 16 including a keychain 18 is also provided, as illustrated in FIG. 4.

While specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications come to mind without significantly departing from the spirit of the invention, and the scope of protection is only limited by the scope of the accompanying Claims.

Claims

1. A decoratable shoe comprising:

a shoe having a surface; and

a chalkboard marking surface disposed on the surface.

2. The decoratable shoe of claim 1, wherein the chalkboard marking surface is formed of chalkboard paint.

3. The decoratable shoe of claim 1, wherein the chalkboard marking surface is formed of chalkboard vinyl.

4. The decoratable shoe of claim 1, wherein the chalkboard marking surface is formed of chalkboard adhesive.

5. The decoratable shoe of claim 1, wherein the shoe has a sole having a peripheral surface, and the chalkboard marking surface is disposed on the peripheral surface.

6. The decoratable shoe of claim 1, wherein the shoe has a sole having an upper sole surface, and the chalkboard marking surface is disposed on the upper sole surface.

7. The decoratable shoe of claim 1, wherein the shoe has an upper having an upper surface, and the chalkboard marking surface is disposed on the upper surface.

8. A method of making a decoratable shoe comprising:

providing a shoe having a surface;

applying a chalkboard marking surface to the surface.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the chalkboard marking surface is chalkboard paint.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the chalkboard marking surface is chalkboard vinyl.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the chalkboard marking surface is chalkboard adhesive.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the shoe has a sole having a peripheral surface, and the chalkboard marking surface is applied on the peripheral surface.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the shoe has a sole having an upper sole surface, and the chalkboard marking surface is applied on the upper sole surface.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein the shoe has an upper having an upper surface, and the chalkboard marking surface is applied on the upper surface.

15. A method of decorating a shoe comprising:

providing a shoe having a surface;

applying a chalkboard marking surface to the surface; and

applying chalk to the chalkboard marking surface.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the chalkboard marking surface is chalkboard paint.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the chalkboard marking surface is chalkboard vinyl.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the chalkboard marking surface is chalkboard adhesive.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the shoe has a sole having a peripheral surface, and the chalkboard marking surface is applied on the peripheral surface.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein the shoe has a sole having an upper sole surface, and the chalkboard marking surface is applied on the upper surface.

21. The method of claim 15, wherein the shoe has an upper having an upper surface, and the chalkboard marking surface is applied on the upper surface.