Ornamental shoelace tip and accessory
The present invention relates to an ornamental shoelace accessory for decorating shoes and sneakers Ornaments and charms can be securely and removably attached to the shoelace tip while has been adapted to receive the removable and interchangeable charms and ornaments. The accessory device of the present invention enables the removable and interchangeable charms to be also added to a standard shoelace.
The present invention relates to a shoelace with tips adapted for the attachment of removable and interchangeable charms and ornaments. The present invention also relates to a shoelace accessory device, independent from a shoelace, having removable and interchangeable charms and ornaments. The accessory device is added to a shoelace, at various locations other than the tips, for decorative purposes by the user.
Various devices for attaching decorative articles to shoelaces are known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,961,727 discloses a shoelace with hollow ornamental balls removably mounted on the tips of the shoelace. This patent, however, does not provide for interchangeability of the ornamental balls with other decorative items. Further, U.S. Pat. No. 5,584,132 discloses an adapter device having a decorative article, such as a light stick which attaches to a shoelace tip. While the adaptor can be changed, they are only held in place by friction and can easily fall off the shoelace. Both previous devices are attached to the shoelace tip by friction, which is not extremely secure and increases the chance that the entire device will disengage from the shoelace tip. Furthermore, the user must install these devices to the shoelace tip, thereby raising issues of user operability.
Therefore, the present invention proceeds upon the desirability of providing ornamental shoelace tips and accessories that are secure and easy to use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe object of the present invention is to provide decoration and adornment of shoes and sneakers which provides the most flexibility for the user (i.e., a new interchangeable/removable mechanism that is easy to operate), while securely attaching decorative charms and the like to prevent loss and/or damage. The present invention also provides a system of interchangeability which minimizes the aesthetic impact of the interchangeable mechanism (i.e., hidden from ordinary view) and is easy for an average person to use. All charms and ornaments are removable and interchangeable.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a shoelace comprises at least one connector tip, which permits charms and other ornaments to be securely and removably attached to the ends of the shoelace.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a shoelace accessory device permits such charms and ornaments to be securely and removably attached to a shoelace at various locations other than the tips.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a shoelace comprises at least one connector tip, the connector tip is preferably a rigid cylindrical structure having first and second members. The first member of the connector tip is securely held in place on the shoelace by a suitable fastening means. The diameter of the connector tip is small enough to pass through the eyelets of shoes and sneakers. Preferably, the diameter of the connector tip is from about 1 mm to about 10 mm. The first member of the connector tip is attached to the second member of the connector tip by a fitting mechanism. Preferably the fitting mechanism of the connector tip is an interlocking clasp, with the first member and the second member having compatible male and female parts. Preferably, the first and second members are constructed of the same material and have the same diameter, so that when the fitting mechanisms are engaged, the unit appears as one complete cylinder. In an embodiment of the present invention, the second member is a cap. The cap provides for ease of lacing shoes and sneakers and can be easily removed and replaced with an ornament or charm.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the second member is a charm or ornament (having a fitting mechanism compatible with the first member) and is attached to the first member in place of the cap, the charms and ornaments being releasable and interchangeable. Preferably, the fitting mechanism is an interlocking clasp, with the first and second members having compatible male and female parts. When a user wishes to decorate her shoe or sneaker, the user takes a charm or ornament of her choice and places the fitting mechanisms of the first member and the charm or ornament together (second member), and engages the fitting mechanisms to form a secure fit. For removal or changing of the charm or ornament, the user simply disengages the fitting mechanisms.
It is possible that, at some point, a user may not want to attach a charm or decorative ornament to the tips of the shoelace. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the cap described herein can be easily re-attached to the first member of the connector tip.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a removable shoelace accessory device is provided to attach charms and ornaments to a shoelace at various locations other than the tips. The shoelace accessory device is a small, hollow cylindrical structure that is open at both ends and has a diameter large enough for a shoelace to pass through. At the center of the shoelace accessory device is a fitting mechanism to which a charm or ornament (having a compatible fitting mechanism) can be securely and removably attached, said charms and ornaments being releasable and interchangeable. Preferably, the fitting mechanism is an interlocking clasp, with the shoelace accessory device and the charm or ornament having compatible male and female parts. Preferably, the shoelace accessory device has a length from about 0.25 inches to about 1 inch, and has a diameter from about 1 mm to about 10 mm. A user threads a shoelace through the cylinder of the shoelace accessory device when lacing a shoe or sneaker. Hence, the shoelace accessory device of the present invention remains secure on the shoelace. Then, the user selects a charm or ornament of his/her choice, places the fitting mechanisms of the shoelace accessory device and the charm or ornament together, and engages the fitting mechanisms to form a secure fit. For removal or changing of the charm or ornament, the user simply disengages the fitting mechanisms.
If a user does not want the shoe or sneaker decorated, she can simply unlace the shoe or sneaker, slide the shoelace accessory device of the present invention off of the shoelace, and re-lace the shoe or sneaker. In the alternative, the shoelace accessory device of the present invention can remain in place, and the user can attach a small cap (as previously described herein) to the fitting mechanism of the shoelace accessory device of the present invention.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a shoelace comprises at least one connector tip for attaching charms or ornaments and a shoelace accessory device for attaching charms or ornaments at various locations on the shoelace, other than the tips.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the connector tips, shoelace accessory device and the fitting mechanisms thereof can be constructed of any durable material such as plastic, metal, etc. Various charms and ornaments are contemplated, including, but not limited to, shapes (flowers, footballs, baseballs, etc.), characters, and rhinestones. Such charms and ornaments are removable and interchangeable, and preferably but not necessarily constructed of the same material as the connector tips and/or accessory device. Preferably, the charms and ornaments are interchangeable between the connector tip of the shoelace and the shoelace accessory device, thereby allowing a user to maximize decorative possibilities in a cost effective manner.
Various other objects, advantages, and features of the present invention will become readily apparent from the ensuing detailed description, and the novel features will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
The following detailed description, given by way of example, and not intended to limit the present invention solely thereto, will best be understood in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
The removable shoelace tip and accessory device comprising an interlocking clasp fitting mechanism in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown in
The removable shoelace tip and accessory device comprising a clasp ring fitting mechanism in accordance an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is depicted in
The removable shoelace accessory device comprising the magnetic fitting mechanism in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is depicted in
As shown in
While the present invention has been particularly described with respect to the illustrated embodiments, it will be appreciated that various alterations, modifications and adaptations may be made based on the present disclosure, and are intended to be within the scope of the present invention. It is intended that the appended claims be interpreted as including the embodiments discussed above, the various alternatives that have been described, and all equivalents thereto.
Claims
1. A shoelace comprising at least one connector tip having a first member and a second member; wherein said first member is attached to the shoelace to form a shoelace tip and comprises a fitting mechanism for securely and removably attaching said second member of said connector tip to said first member, and wherein second member has a decorative article attached thereto comprising a compatible fitting mechanism for securely and removably attaching said second member having said decorative article to said first member of said connector tip.
2. The shoelace of claim 1, wherein said fitting mechanism of said first member comprises a coupler; wherein said first member comprises a housing having an open end and a closed end, said open end being operable to receive and attach to said shoelace to form said shoelace tip, and said coupler being attached to said closed end; and wherein said second member comprises a housing having a plug with a channel for receiving said coupler.
3. The shoelace of claim 2, wherein said plug comprises silicone.
4. The shoelace of claim 2, wherein said coupler and plug are magnetic.
5. The shoelace of claim 1, wherein said fitting mechanisms are male and female parts of a clip.
6. The shoelace of claim 1, wherein said fitting mechanisms are clasp rings.
7. The shoelace of claim 1, wherein said first member comprises a housing having an open end operable to receive and attach to said shoelace to form said shoelace tip; and a closed end comprising a channel and a notch cut into said housing of said first member; and wherein said second member comprises a housing having a peg on the outside of said housing of said second member, said peg slides into said channel and locks into said notch when said first and second members are joined.
9. A shoelace accessory device comprising a first member and a second member; wherein said first member comprises a hollow cylindrical structure open at both ends with a diameter large enough for a shoelace to pass through and a fitting mechanism attached to an outer circumference of said hollow cylindrical structure for securely and removably attaching said second member to said first member; and wherein second member has a decorative article attached thereto comprising a compatible fitting mechanism for securely and removably attaching said second member having said decorative article to said first member.
10. The shoelace accessory device of claim 9, wherein said fitting mechanism of said first member comprises a coupler; and wherein said second member comprises a housing having a plug with a channel for receiving said coupler.
11. The shoelace accessory device of claim 10, wherein said plug comprises silicone.
12. The shoelace accessory device of claim 10, wherein said coupler and said plug are magnetic.
13. The shoelace accessory device of claim 9, wherein said fitting mechanisms are male and female parts of a clip.
14. The shoelace accessory device of claim 9, wherein said fitting mechanisms are clasp rings.
15. The shoelace accessory device of claim 9, wherein said fitting mechanism of said first member comprises a channel and a notch, and wherein said second member comprises a housing having a peg on the outside of said housing, wherein said peg slides into said channel and locks into said notch when said first and second members are joined.
16. A shoelace holder comprising two tubes for holding two ends of a shoelace and a clip for attaching said shoelace holder to a shoe.
17. The shoelace holder of claim 16, wherein said shoelace comprises at least one connector tip having a first member and a second member; wherein said first member is attached to the shoelace to form a shoelace tip and comprises a fitting mechanism for securely and removably attaching said second member of said connector tip to said first member, and wherein second member has a decorative article attached thereto comprising a compatible fitting mechanism for securely and removably attaching said second member having said decorative article to said first member of said connector tip.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 14, 2007
Publication Date: Sep 18, 2008
Inventor: Tae Ill Son (Sunnyside, NY)
Application Number: 11/717,868
International Classification: A43C 9/06 (20060101); A43B 23/24 (20060101); A43C 7/00 (20060101);