FOOTWEAR AND DECORATIVE ATTACHMENT THEREFOR
One embodiment of the invention is directed to a kit that includes a pair of footwear that each have an upper with a patch attachment section for releasably engaging a patch and at least one pair of patches. The pair of patches can depict a character (e.g., a make believe character, cartoon character, movie character etc.). When the pair of patches depict such a character, an embodiment of the kit further includes a descriptor of the character that is used to provide a child with a reference point for playing with the patches or the footwear with the attached patches and for playing with other children that have patches for different characters. Another embodiment of the invention comprises marketing a kit with a follow-on kit that has one or more pairs of additional patches that are adapted to engage the footwear. Yet another embodiment of the invention comprises a pair of footwear that are each capable of accommodating two or more patches and there is a correlation between the views of an item or character and the location on the footwear that accommodates the patch. For example, if the patches depict a sports car, the patches that depict a front view of the car are adapted to be placed on the portion of the upper that is above the wearer's toes or metatarsals and the patches that depict side views of the car are adapted to be place on the side portions of the upper.
The invention relates to footwear and, in particular, to footwear to which a decorative patch can be attached.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONFootwear is defined as clothing worn on a person's foot. Typically, footwear is marketed as a pair of footwear, a right footwear for a person's right foot and a left footwear for a person's left foot. A pair of footwear can take many different forms, including flip-flops, sandals, clogs, sabots, loafers, flats, slippers, boots adapted for various situations or activities, dress shoes, mules, and athletic shoes adapted for various sports or physical activities. A footwear, regardless of the form, includes: (a) a sole with a surface, known as the outsole, that directly contacts the ground when the footwear is in use and (b) an upper that is operatively attached to and located above the sole and that helps hold the footwear onto a user's foot. The sole and the upper define a volume that receives at least a portion of a user's foot.
There are a number of elements that may be associated with a given footwear. These include a heel that is located underneath the heel of the user's foot and includes a surface that contacts the ground when the footwear is in use. A particular type of footwear may also include a structure that is associated with the upper and facilitates the entry of the user's foot into the volume that receives the user's foot and the holding of the footwear onto the user's foot. These structures include a lacing systems, a zipper, a button system, and a strapping system, to name a few.
There have been a number of products designed to augment the appearance of the footwear. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,546,649 discloses a plush toy that utilizes a shoes lacing system to mount the toy to the shoe. Also know are shoe clips that are typically used to adorn women's dress shoes. The shoe clip includes a decorative element and a paperclip-like structure that is attached to the decorative element. The paperclip-like structure operates to engage the edge of the upper that is adjacent portion of the upper that overlies the user's toes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONOne embodiment of the invention provides a kit that comprises a pair of footwear and a pair of patches to augment or decorate the footwear. Each of the footwear comprise an upper with a first patch attachment section with a first portion of a fastener that is adapted to releasably engage a second portion of the fastener that is associated with one of the patches. In another embodiment, the kit comprises multiple pairs of patches. Typically, each pair of patches is different or distinct from all of the other pairs of patches in the kit. For example, one pair of patches may depict a first plush animal character and a second pair of patches may depict abstract shapes, such as a pair of stars or a pair of hearts or a mixed pair of a star and a heart. In a particular embodiment, at least one of the patches in the kit depicts a character or item and the kit includes a description of the characteristics of the character or item. The description allows the footwear with the attached patch to function as a toy or doll for young children. For example, if a patch may depicts a character with magical powers that are set forth in the description, a child can play with the footwear and attached patch in a fashion commensurate with the described magical powers. The description can be a written description that could be read to a child. Alternatively, the description can be embodied in a playback device that children of a certain age can manipulate.
Another embodiment of the invention comprises a method for marketing footwear that includes: (a) offering a first kit comprised of a pair of footwear and a pair of patches to augment or decorate the footwear, and (b) offering a second, supplementary kit comprised of at least one pair of patches that the wearer of the footwear can use in place of the first pair of patches. In one embodiment, at least one patch of a pair of patches embodies a hologram or prism picture that presents a different picture or view of an object depending on the viewer's perspective.
Still another embodiment of the invention comprises a pair of footwear with at least one of the pair of footwear capable of engaging a patch with one of a hook or loop fastener material such that the patch is located at least partly above the toes or phalanges, at least partly above the phalanges and metatarsals, at least partly around the heel bone or calcaneus, or a combination of such locations of a wearer of the footwear.
Yet another embodiment of the invention comprises a pair of footwear with the upper of the footwear having a hook fastener material, loop fastener material, or combination of hook and loop fastener material at substantially all external locations associated with the upper that would not substantially interfere with the wearer's ability to put on or remove the footwear.
Yet another embodiment of the invention comprises a pair of footwear with each of the footwear having an upper with one or more patch attachment sections that allow one or more patches to be attached to the upper that depict at least two views of an item or character. In one embodiment, there is a correlation between each view and the location of the patch on the footwear. For example, the right footwear of a pair of footwear can have a first patch attachment section associated with the portion of the upper that overlies the toes of a wearer of the footwear, a second patch attachment section located on the outer or lateral side of the upper, and third patch attachment section located on the inner or medial side of the upper. Three patches may depict three views of a sports car. The first patch depicts a front view of the sports car and is designed to engage the first patch attachment section; the second patch depicts a right side view of the sports car and be designed to engage the second patch attachment section, and the third patch depicts a left side view of the sports car and be designed to engage the third patch attachment section. In the case of footwear for young children, such patches allow the footwear to serve the additional purpose of being a toy or, if the patches depict some kind of character, a doll.
In a further embodiment, the outsole of the sole (which includes the ground contacting surface of any heel) is configured so that when the wearer walks a “footprint” can be established on appropriate surfaces that correlates with the item or character depicted in the patch or patches attached to the upper. For example, if a patch or patches associated with a footwear depict a tyrannosaurus rex, the outsole is configured so as to create a “footprint” akin to that of a tyrannosaurus rex when the wearer walks on an appropriate surface.
One embodiment of the invention is directed to a kit comprised of a pair of footwear and a pair of patches that can be used to augment or decorate the footwear. The upper of each one of the footwear comprises a section with a first portion of a releasable fastener. Similarly, each of the patches comprises a section with a second portion of the fastener. To attach one of the patches to one of the footwear, the first and second portions of the fastener are operatively engaged to one another. To detach a patch from one of the footwear, the first and second portions of the fastener are separated from one another.
The carrying case 12 comprises a substantially clear or transparent panel 22 that allows a potential purchaser to view the pair of footwear 14A, 14B, and the pair of patches 16A, 16B, which are typically attached to the mounting board 20 to facilitate the viewing of the patches.
The pair of footwear 14A, 14B, are each comprised of a sole 24 and an upper 26. The upper 26 includes a patch attachment section 28 that has a first portion of a fastener. The first portion of the fastener is directly or indirectly attached to the adjacent portion of the upper by sewing, gluing, or any other suitable mechanism. It should be appreciated that, while a particular type of footwear is illustrated in
The pair of patches 16A, 16B respectively depict a pair of make-believe characters, a cow by the name of Moo Key and a cat by the name of Cosmo. It should, however, be appreciates that any number of different kinds of patches can be provided in the kit 10. For example, a patch can be provided that depicts an animal character, a comic book or comic strip character, a television or movie character, a book character, a sport, political, or public figure, an inanimate object, such as a sports car, or an abstract object, such as a star, to name a few. Further, a patch can be made from any number of materials or combinations of materials, including liquid gel, paper, plastic, plush, glow in the dark, and reflective materials. A patch can also incorporate a hologram or prism picture that presents different views of an object to a viewer depending on the viewer's perspective. In addition, a patch can also incorporate a light or lights, if desired.
The descriptor 18 describes characteristics of any character or item depicted in at least one of the pair of patches. For example, the descriptor 18 may state that: (a) Moo Key has a key to all secrets, knows everybody's secrets and shares them with only certain friends and (b) Cosmo can fly throughout the universe and can instantly appear at any location he desires. By providing a description of the characteristics of a character depicted in a patch, the kit 10 provides a context within which a young child can begin to play or construct games based on the provided context, either alone or with other children that have “characterized” patches. It should be appreciated that the descriptor is not limited to patches that depict animate characters but can be applied to objects that depict inanimate objects, like bulldozers, trucks, and sports cars. While the descriptor 18 is illustrated as a written description that a parent or other literate person could read to a young child, the descriptor can take other forms. For instance, the descriptor can be a simple playback device with a recording of the characteristics of the character depicted in a patch and that can be readily actuated by a young child by, for example, a playback device with a large “play” button that can be easily actuated by a small child or a pull string similar to those used in “talking” dolls. The descriptor can also be embodied in a recording medium that can be placed in or downloaded to a user playback device. For instance, the descriptor can be embodied in a compact disc, tape or memory chip.
Another embodiment of the invention comprises providing a primary kit that includes at least a pair of footwear with each of the footwear having an upper with a first portion of a releasable fastener and at least a pair of patches with each of the patches having a second portion of the releasable fastener that is capable of engaging the first portion of the releasable fastener associated with one of the pair of footwear. The embodiment of the invention further comprises providing a supplemental kit that includes at least one patch but may include multiple patches. Typically, the supplemental kit includes one or additional pairs of patches.
Another embodiment of the invention comprises providing a footwear that has an upper with at least one location or section that has a first portion of a releasable fastener which is capable of engaging a patch with a second portion of the releasable fastener such that the patch is disposed over a defined portion or portions of the footwear. In another embodiment, the upper has multiple locations or sections with a first portion of a releasable fastener that allows multiple patches to be engaged to the footwear. Typically, the footwear is not marketed as a single footwear but rather as a pair of footwear. Further, the footwear can be marketed as part of a kit, such as the kit described with respect to
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Based on the foregoing embodiments of footwear, it should be appreciated that an embodiment of a footwear capable of engaging a patch that covers all or portions of two or more sections of an upper is feasible. Likewise, an embodiment of a footwear capable of engaging two or more patches with each patch covering all or portions of two or more sections of an upper is also feasible. Further, the embodiments discussed with respect to
A further embodiment of the invention is directed to a footwear in which substantially the entire exterior surface of the upper is a portion of a fastener. In some embodiments of a footwear, there are one or more locations where the location of a portion of a fastener for engaging a patch would increase the effort needed by a wearer to put on or take off the footwear or otherwise make it inconvenient for the wearer to put on or take off the footwear. In such embodiments, the portion of a fastener associated with the upper is not placed in this location or locations. The fastener used in this embodiment of the invention is comprised of a hook material and a loop material, such as the materials commonly marketed under the trademark of Velcro. However, other fasteners, such as snaps and magnets, are feasible. The exterior surface of the upper that presents one portion of such a fastener can be all hook material, all loop material, or a combination thereof. Typically, the footwear is not marketed as a single footwear but rather as a pair of footwear. Further, the footwear can be marketed as part of a kit, such as the kit described with respect to
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A further embodiment of the invention comprises a footwear with one or more patch attachment sections that allow one or more patches to be attached to the uppers that depict at least two different views of an item or character. In one embodiment, there is a correlation between the view associated with the patch and the location of the patch on the footwear. Typically, the footwear is not marketed as a single footwear but rather as a pair of footwear. Further, the footwear can be marketed as part of a kit, such as the kit described with respect to
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Yet another embodiment of the invention comprises a footwear with one or more patch attachment sections that allow one or more patches to be attached to the upper that depict a particular item, object, or theme, and an outsole that is capable of making in impression on an appropriate surface that is correlated to the “footprint” of the particular item, object, or theme depicted in the patch or patches when the wearer moves across such a surface. Typically, the footwear is not marketed as a single footwear but rather as a pair of footwear. Further, the footwear can be marketed as part of a kit, such as the kit described with respect to
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The foregoing descriptions of the various embodiments of the invention is intended to describe the best mode known of practicing the various embodiments of the invention and to enable others skilled in the art to use the various embodiments of the invention.
Claims
1. A kit comprising:
- a pair of footwear;
- wherein each footwear of said pair of footwear has a sole for directly contacting the ground and an upper for use in holding the footwear on a foot of a user;
- said upper of each of said footwear comprising a first patch attachment section with a first portion of a fastener that is capable of releasably engaging a second portion of said fastener that is associated with a patch;
- a pair of patches;
- wherein each patch of said pair of patches comprising a second patch attachment section with a second portion of said fastener that is capable of releasably engaging said first portion of said fastener that is associated with one of said pair of footwear.
2. A kit, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:
- at least one patch of said pair of patches depicts an item or character that has pre-defined characteristics.
3. A kit, as claimed in claim 2, further comprising:
- a descriptor that includes a description of the characteristics of the item or character depicted on said at least one patch of said pair of patches.
4. A kit, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:
- said first portion of said fastener of said first patch attachment section associated with one of said pair of footwear is one of a hook material and a loop material.
5. A kit, as claimed in claim 4, wherein:
- said second portion of said fastener of said second patch attachment section associated with one of said pair of patches is the other of said hook material and said loop material.
6. A kit, as claimed in claim 4, wherein:
- said first patch attachment section, when said one of said pair of footwear is being worn, is at least partly located: above the phalanges of the wearer, above the phalanges and metatarsals, or at least partly around the calcaneus.
7. A kit, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:
- said first patch attachment section of one of said pair of footwear comprises all of said upper, with the exception of any portion of said upper that could interfere with the putting on or taking off one footwear of said pair of footwear.
8. A kit, as claimed in claim 7, wherein:
- said first patch attachment section comprises one of: a hook fastener material, a loop fastener material, and hook and loop fastener material.
9. A kit, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:
- said first patch attachment section extends over portions of at least two of: a phalanges/metatarsal covering portion of said upper, a lateral portion of said upper, a medial portion of said upper, and a heel portion of said upper;
- at least one of said pair of patches depicts two views of an item or character and said two views are correlated with said first patch attachment section.
10. A kit, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:
- at least one of said pair of patches depicts an item or character; and
- at least one sole of one of said pair of footwear has an outsole that is configured to establish a “footprint” of said item or character when a wearer moves over an appropriately impressionable surface.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 24, 2007
Publication Date: Aug 28, 2008
Inventors: Scott Andrew Mattingly (Los Angeles, CA), Mark Richard Warwick (Los Angeles, CA)
Application Number: 11/678,578
International Classification: A43B 23/24 (20060101);