Footwear adornment device and system

Abstract

A footwear adornment device and system having an adornment member disposed on an anchor that is removably detachable to a portion of an article of footwear. The anchor may include a pad portion for receiving the adornment member and a post portion that extends transversely away from the pad portion. The post portion is removably disposable through a portion of an article of footwear such that the adornment member is disposed adjacent to an outer surface of the footwear. A clutch may be removably disposable to a portion of the anchor to removably secure the footwear adornment device and system to the footwear.

Description

PRIORITY

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/610,408 filed Sep. 16, 2004, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to footwear and more particularly pertains to a new adornment device and system for adorning footwear.

2. Description of the Prior Art

For centuries, footwear, such as shoes and boots, has consisted of an upper portion and a lower sole portion. The upper portion of the majority of footwear is typically made of leather or a synthetic fabric that includes a tongue and a pair of eyelet tabs having a plurality of eyelets extending generally along a length thereof. A shoelace is usually threaded through the eyelets to secure the footwear to a user's foot.

Initially, footwear was typically manufactured in the colors black and brown. However, as consumers tastes increased for more fashionable footwear, manufacturers began to produce footwear of different designs and colors. Although the designs and colors have changed, the majority of footwear still consists of an upper portion having eyelet tabs and eyelets.

Although manufacturers now offer a larger variety of shoes in a multitude of colors and designs, a consumer is unable to change the color or design after they purchased the footwear. To provide consumers with an even larger variety of footwear, manufacturers and stores have begun to offer consumers the option of designing their own shoes. However, the problem still remains that a consumer is unable to alter the color or design of the footwear after it is selected and manufactured.

Relatively recently, U.S. Pat. No. 4,724,628 issued disclosing a shoe having a piece of jewelry attached to its heel. Although the device provided adornment for the shoe, it was complicated and time consuming to replace. Additionally, the jewelry is only useable with shoes specially designed and manufactured to receive the jewelry. A consumer is not able to use the jewelry with all of their footwear.

What is needed in the footwear industry is an adornment device and system for adorning a footwear collection of a consumer. What is additionally needed is an adornment device and system that is easily applied to and removed from footwear. Additionally, what is needed is an adornment device and system that is easily and inexpensively manufactured.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The footwear adornment device and system of the present invention resolves the above mentioned problems in the footwear industry. In an example embodiment, the footwear adornment device and system includes an adornment member disposed on an anchor that is removably detachable to a portion of footwear. In one embodiment, the anchor includes a pad portion for receiving the adornment member and a post portion extending transversely away from the pad portion. In this embodiment, the post portion is removably disposable through at least one eyelet of an article of footwear. In another embodiment, a clutch may be removably disposable to a portion of the anchor to removably secure the footwear adornment device and system to the footwear.

The above summary of the invention is not intended to describe each illustrated embodiment or every implementation of the invention. The figures in the detailed description that follow more particularly exemplify these embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the footwear adornment device and system according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the footwear adornment device and system;

FIG. 3 is a front plan view of an adornment member in the shape of a star;

FIG. 4 is a front plan view of an adornment member in the shape of a star;

FIG. 5 is an exploded side view of the footwear adornment device and system;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the footwear adornment device and system disposed in an eyelet of an article of footwear;

FIG. 7 is a rear plan view of the footwear adornment device and system;

FIG. 8 is a front plan view of an adornment member and a pad portion of an anchor; and

FIG. 9 is a front plan view of a clutch.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example embodiment of a new footwear adornment device and system and is generally designated by the reference numeral 10. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the device and system 10 is removably attached to an article of footwear such as, a shoe, boot, or sandal. The article of footwear typically includes a sole portion A and an upper portion B. The upper portion B includes a pair of eyelet tabs C having a plurality of spaced eyelets D that extend therethrough. A buckle or shoelace E is extended or threaded through the plurality of spaced eyelets D for attaching the footwear to a user's foot.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 4-8, the footwear adornment device and system 10 generally comprises an adornment member 12 that is generally visible on an outer surface of the footwear. The adornment member 12 includes a front surface 14 and a back surface 16. The back surface 16 of the adornment member 12 may be generally planar or generally contoured. The front surface 14 of the adornment member 12 may be generally decorative and may have a particular decorative shape, color and/or design. As particularly illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3-4, the adornment member 12 may have a star shape. However, the adornment member 12 may have any shape such as a flower, football, baseball or any other shape known to one skilled in the art. In another embodiment, the adornment member 12 may include letters and/or images. In still yet another embodiment of the invention, the adornment member 12 can include lights of various colors that illuminate. The lights can illuminate letters, images and the like. A power supply can be placed in, on or adjacent to the adornment member 12 to run the lights.

In one embodiment, the adornment member 12 may be manufactured from stone, metal or a synthetic material such as polypropylene or polyester. The adornment member 12 may also be manufactured from other materials known to one skilled in the art. The adornment member 12 may be manufactured from an injection molded process or any other process known to one skilled in the art.

As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, an anchor 20 may be provided for removably anchoring the adornment member 12 to various footwear. In one embodiment of the invention, the anchor 20 may include a pad portion 22 having a first surface 24 (see FIG. 8) for receiving and supporting the adornment member 12. The anchor 20 may also include a post portion 26 extending transversely away from a second surface 28 (see FIG. 7) of the pad portion 22 for removably extending through an eyelet D or another portion of the footwear.

In one embodiment, the post portion 24 may be generally cylindrical and may have a length generally longer than a thickness of the eyelet tab C. The post portion 26 may include a generally pointed free end 30 for piercing the upper portion B of the footwear. In another embodiment, the post portion 26 may have a generally blunt free end 30 for extending through the eyelet D of the footwear. The post portion 26 may be generally linear or straight for extending through the footwear. In another embodiment, the post portion 26 may be generally arcuate for positioning generally against an inner surface of the upper portion B of the footwear.

Referring again to FIGS. 5-6 and now 9, a fastener or clutch 40 may be removably coupled to the anchor and may be disposed proximate the free end 30 of the post portion 26 for preventing separation of the anchor 20 from the footwear. As particularly illustrated in FIG. 9, the clutch 40 may include a first surface 42 having a bore 44 extending therein for receiving the post portion 26. In one embodiment, the post portion 26 may be frictionally disposable in the bore 44 of the clutch 40. An outer surface of the post portion 26, generally proximate the free end 30 thereof, may be threaded for threadedly mating with a threaded inner surface of the bore 44.

Referring to FIGS. 2, and 5-6, the clutch 40 may include a second surface 48 having a protuberance 46 extending away therefrom. In this embodiment, the bore 44 may extend into the protuberance 46 for permitting the post portion 26 of the anchor 20 to extend further into the clutch 40. In another embodiment, the bore 44 may also extend through the clutch 40 for permitting the free end 30 of the post portion 26 to pass therethrough.

In another embodiment of the invention, the clutch 40 can include a collar mounted thereon for receiving at least a portion of the post portion 26. The collar may be attached to, formed with, or generally pivotally coupled to the clutch 40. The collar can have a generally tapering inner surface such that the post portion 26 snaps, clips, or otherwise engages the collar. The tapering inner surface can taper only a portion of or along an interior length of the collar. Variations and modifications are possible and should be considered to be within the spirit and scope of the invention.

In one embodiment, the clutch 40 may be made of generally rigid material such as the metal or one of the plastic materials discussed previously. In another embodiment, the clutch 40 may be made from a generally flexible and/or compressible material for providing comfort to a user. Other materials known to one skilled in the art are also envisioned within the spirit and scope of the invention.

In use, the post portion 26 of the anchor 20 is inserted into the eyelet D of the footwear until the free end 30 extends away from an inner surface the eyelet tab C. The free end 30 of the post portion 26 is inserted into the bore 44 of the clutch 40. In one embodiment, the clutch 40 frictionally engages the post portion preventing separation of the anchor 20 from the footwear. In another embodiment, the clutch 40 is rotated about or screwed to the post portion 26 of the clutch 40. The clutch 40 preferably has a length or area generally greater than a diameter of the eyelet D to prevent the clutch from passing through the eyelet D.

In another embodiment, the pointed free end 30 of the post portion 26 is generally forced through the upper portion B of the footwear. The free end 30 is then inserted into the bore 44 of the clutch 40 for coupling the anchor 20 to the footwear. This embodiment provides the advantage of permitting a user to place the footwear adornment device and system 10 in any desired location on the footwear. After attachment of the anchor 20 and clutch 40, a user may wear the footwear displaying the adornment member 12.

The clutch 40 is easily removable from the anchor 20 to allow a user to use the footwear adornment device and system 10 on any footwear.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being made to the appended claims rather than to the foregoing description to indicate the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A footwear adornment device for footwear having at least one eyelet, the device comprising:

an adornment member that is visible on an outer surface of the footwear;

an anchor disposed on a portion of the adornment member to facilitate anchoring the adornment member to the footwear, the anchor having a free end removably extendable through an eyelet of the footwear; and

a clutch removably disposable on an end of the anchor, the clutch having a diameter generally larger than a diameter of the eyelet to removably secure the anchor to the footwear.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the adornment member is at least one selected from the group consisting essentially of a star, flower, football, baseball, letters, or logos.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the anchor includes a pad portion having a first surface to support the adornment member.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the anchor includes a post portion disposable to the adornment member.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the anchor includes a pad portion having a first surface to support the adornment member, a post portion being disposed on a portion of the pad portion, such that the clutch is removably disposable on a free end of the post portion.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the adornment member is at least one selected from the group consisting essentially of stone, metal or a synthetic material.

7. The device of claim 5, wherein the post portion is generally cylindrical and may have a length generally longer than a thickness of the eyelet.

8. The device of claim 5, wherein the post portion includes a generally pointed free end for piercing an upper portion of the footwear, the clutch being removably disposable to the pointed free end.

9. The device of claim 5, wherein the post portion has a generally blunt free end for extending through the eyelet of the footwear.

10. The device of claim 5, wherein the post portion is generally straight for extending through the eyelet of footwear.

11. The device of claim 5, wherein the post portion has a generally arcuate shape for positioning generally against an inner surface of an upper portion of the footwear.

12. The device of claim 5, wherein the clutch includes a first surface having a bore extending therein for receiving the post portion, wherein the post portion is frictionally disposable in the bore.

13. The device of claim 5, wherein an outer surface of the post portion generally proximate a free end thereof, is threaded for threadedly mating with a threaded inner surface of the bore.

14. The device of claim 5, wherein the clutch includes a second surface having a protuberance extending away therefrom, such that the bore extends generally into the protuberance for permitting the post portion of the anchor to extend further into the clutch.

15. The device of claim 1, wherein the clutch is generally compressible

16. A method of adorning footwear having at least one eyelet, the method comprising the steps of:

providing an adornment member disposed on an anchor;

inserting a free end of the anchor through a portion of the footwear; and

removably disposing a clutch on the free end of the anchor to prevent separation of the anchor from the footwear.

17. The method of claim 16, further including the step of threadedly disposing the clutch on the free end of the anchor.

18. The method of claim 16, further including the step of disposing the free end of the anchor through the at least one eyelet of the footwear.

19. A footwear adornment system for decorating footwear having at least one eyelet, the system comprising:

an adornment member that is visible on an outer surface of the footwear;

an anchor having a pad portion to support the adornment member and a post portion extending away from the pad portion to facilitate removably anchoring the adornment member to a users footwear, the post portion having a free end removably extendable through an eyelet of the footwear; and

a clutch removably disposable on the free end of the post portion, the clutch having a diameter generally larger than a diameter of the eyelet to removably secure the anchor to the footwear.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the free end of the post portion is frictionally removably disposable in a bore extending into the clutch