Apparel Having a Replaceable Outer Layer
Apparel having a replaceable outer layer, which comprises a supporting platform with a front face and a back face and a replaceable sleeve with an inner surface and an outer surface and that is mounted on the platform. At least a first portion of the inner surface is in contact with the front face and at least a second portion of the inner surface is in direct and/or indirect contact with a limb of a user who wears the apparel.
The present invention relates in general to wearable apparel. In particular, the present invention relates to apparel whose exterior may be changed by replacing the outer layer of the apparel with an outer layer having a different color and/or design.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe apparel that one is seen with in public not only influences the impression of others, it also affects one's own self confidence. Often, people choose to wear apparel such as footwear, hand/shoulder bags, eyewear, jewelry, etc. based on the color and/or design of these items in order to ‘complete’ their outfit. People generally attempt to match, or, coordinate the appearance of these items with the other clothes they wear.
However, maintaining a wide assortment of the above-mentioned apparel may be prohibitive both in terms of cost as well as storage space. Many attempts have been made to provide solutions to this difficulty, however they all have drawbacks of there own. The following are several examples of the prior art solutions as relating to footwear.
US 2005/0016019 discloses a sandal having a sole and interchangeable uppers. Uppers are coupled to the sole by an arrangement of hooks and hook engagers situated at the inner and outer edges of the sole. The hook engagers are spring-loaded for allowing the hooks to be secured to and released from the engagers. When uppers are not being used, the hooks may inadvertently ‘catch’ objects and cause damage thereto. Moreover, when uppers are not coupled to the sole, the hooks may bend or break. Additionally, the hooks may bend or break as a result of repeatedly securing to and removing from the engagers.
US 2003/0233772 discloses a shoe having a plurality of interchangeable top coverings. The shoe comprises a base and a removably affixed top covering. The top covering is attached by any fastening means, such as hook and pile strips, snaps, laces or buttons, to allow secure fastening to the base. The top covering covers only the forward portion of the uppermost surface of a wearer's foot. According to US 2003/0233772, it would be much more costly, and thus, not desirable, for the top covering to additionally include material for covering the rearward portion of the wearer's foot. However, other factors, such as comfort and support are important to a wearer, and are provided by a rearward cover.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,931,766 discloses an article of footwear comprising a separable foot receiving portion and a sole portion. A plurality of tabs are distributed around and extend from the outer edge of the foot receiving portion. Each tab has an open center and is bendable downwards for fastening to a corresponding button-like protrusion in the outer edge of the sole portion. Over the course of use, (i.e. walking and/or running) it is likely for at least one of the tabs to decouple from the button, which, depending on the activity that the wearer performs, may cause the wearer to trip and/or fall. Additionally, the foot receiving portion is not a ‘one size fits all’ item, but a size-specific item which must fit the corresponding sole portion. Thus, the consumer must find a store that carries not only his or her size of the sole portion, but also of the foot receiving portion.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide apparel having a replaceable outer layer, which overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art.
It is an additional object of the present invention to provide footwear having a replaceable outer layer.
It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a hand or shoulder bag having a replaceable outer layer.
It is an additional object of the present invention to provide eyewear having a replaceable outer layer.
It is an additional object of the present invention to provide jewelry having a replaceable outer layer.
It is an additional object of the present invention to provide apparel having a replaceable outer layer comprising a sleeve that may be stored in a minimal space, when not in use.
Additional objects and advantages of the present invention shall become apparent as the description proceeds.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention is directed to apparel with a replaceable outer layer that comprises:
-
- a supporting platform with a front face and a back face; and
- a replaceable sleeve with an inner surface and an outer surface that is mounted on the platform,
wherein a portion of the inner surface that may include straps or slits is in contact with the front face and another portion of the inner surface is in direct and/or indirect contact with a limb of a user who wears the apparel.
The sleeve may be made of a seamless fabric or of an elastic spandex fiber. The platform may be so shaped to allow suspension thereof by a support protruding from a vertical surface. The supporting platform may be the sole portion of footwear, lenses, jewelry, a handbag and a shoulder bag.
In the drawings:
People often desire to coordinate the colors and/or designs of different parts of their outfit. In order to do this, a wide assortment of apparel must be accessible. This may be prohibitive to many people, both in terms of cost and storage space. The present invention solves both of these problems by providing apparel having a replaceable outer layer. The sleeve that comprises the outer layer is inexpensive and may be removed and replaced with an alternate one, having a different design and/or color, according to the user's desire. When not in use, the sleeve takes up and may be stored in a minimal amount of space.
The present invention can be realized in many different embodiments. In order to best illustrate the many advantages of the invention over the prior art, several specific embodiments of the invention, for use in foot apparel, eyewear, jewelry and as a handbag, have been chosen as illustrative and non-limiting examples to be described herein.
The terms, “wear” or “worn” as used herein, refer to carrying, bearing or being clothed in or by the apparel of the present invention. For instance, a user might “wear” foot apparel, eyewear, jewelry, a handbag or a shoulder bag/backpack.
The term, “outer layer” as used herein, refers to at least a portion of the exterior of an apparel that is at least partially exposed to view, although may comprise a portion that is generally hidden from view.
When an object is referred to herein as, “in contact with the user”, it is understood that the item may be in direct contact with the user's skin (or hair), or alternatively, in contact with an intermediate layer, such as a sock or shirt, which is in contact with the user's skin (or hair).
The term, “groove” as used herein refers to any slot, notch, indent or pathway that is capable of guiding, restraining, holding or limiting the movement of a portion of the sleeve of the present invention.
A first embodiment of the present invention, is shown in
Sleeve (130) comprises an inner surface (not seen) and an outer surface (134). As best seen in
Sleeve (130) is essentially a “one size fits all” item, and may be produced in a wide variety of colors. The netting arrangement of upper portion (132b) as well as the straps of lower portion (132a) of sleeve (130) may be produced in a wide variety of designs. Sleeve (130) is preferably made at least partially of an elastic spandex fiber such as Lycra®, and is preferably manufactured as a seamless material.
Referring to
Grooves (118) are deep enough such that the straps/webbing fit snug therein, and such that the outer surface of the straps/webbing do not make contact with the ground upon which sandal (100) treads. This is advantageous since constant contact with the ground during use may lead to deterioration of sleeve (130).
As described herein above, and as seen in
In a preferred embodiment, as best seen in
According to one aspect of the first embodiment, as shown in
A second embodiment of the present invention is shown in
As best seen in
Referring to
As described herein above with respect to the first embodiment, sleeve (230) is essentially a “one size fits all” item, and may be produced in a wide variety of colors and designs. Sleeve (230) is preferably made at least partially of an elastic spandex fiber such as Lycra®, and is preferably manufactured as a seamless material. Additionally, the location and shapes of grooves (218a)-(218f) may vary according to style and/or function.
A third embodiment of the present invention is shown in
As best seen in
Referring to
As described herein above with respect to the first embodiment, sleeve (330) is essentially a “one size fits all” item, and may be produced in a wide variety of colors and designs. Sleeve (330) is preferably made at least partially of an elastic spandex fiber such as Lycra®, and is preferably manufactured as a seamless material. The jewelry may take other forms, for example, a necklace or finger ring. Additionally, the shapes of gemstones (314), including grooves (318) may vary according to style and/or function.
A fourth embodiment of the present invention, is shown in
Sleeve (430) comprises an inner surface (not seen in the figure) and an outer surface (434). The front face (416) of bag (410) comprises a plurality of grooves (418), in which the straps that comprise the first, or lower portion (432a) of sleeve (430) are disposed. A second, or upper portion (432b) of inner surface (432) of sleeve (430) is grasped by, and therefore, in contact with the user's hand.
As described herein above with regards to the first embodiment, sleeve (430) is essentially a “one size fits all” item, and may be produced in a wide variety of colors. The netting arrangement of lower portion (432a) of sleeve (430) may be produced in a wide variety of designs. Sleeve (430) is preferably made at least partially of an elastic spandex fiber such as Lycra®, and is preferably manufactured as a seamless material.
Preferably, handbag (400) comprises an aperture suitable for allowing handbag (400) to be supported thereat.
A fifth embodiment of the present invention is shown in
As described herein above with regards to the first embodiment, sleeve (530) is essentially a “one size fits all” item, and may be produced in a wide variety of colors. Sleeve (130) is preferably made at least partially of an elastic spandex fiber such as Lycra®, and is preferably manufactured as a seamless material.
The present invention provides an inexpensive solution to the above-mentioned difficulties of coordinating the various aspect of one's outfit. For example, sandal (100), sunglasses (200), jewelry (300) and handbag (400) and dress (500) of the present invention may be purchased independently of the interchangeable sleeve (130), (230), (330), (430), (530) of which a wide variety of designs and colors may be purchased at minimal cost.
While some embodiments of the invention have been described by way of illustration, it will be apparent that the invention can be carried into practice with many modifications, variations and adaptations, and with the use of numerous equivalents or alternative solutions that are within the scope of persons skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention or exceeding the scope of the claims.
Claims
1. Apparel having a replaceable outer layer, comprising:
- a. a supporting platform having a front face and a back face; and
- b. a replaceable sleeve having an inner surface and an outer surface and being mounted on said platform, wherein at least a first portion of said inner surface is in contact with said front face and at least a second portion of said inner surface is in direct and/or indirect contact with a limb of a user who wears said apparel.
2. Apparel according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve is made of a seamless fabric.
3. Apparel according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve is made at least partially of an elastic spandex fiber.
4. Apparel according to claim 1, wherein the platform is shaped to allow suspension thereof by a support protruding from a vertical surface.
5. Apparel according to claim 1, wherein the supporting platform may be chosen from any one of the group consisting of:
- a. the sole portion of footwear;
- b. lenses;
- c. jewelry;
- d. a handbag; and,
- e. a shoulder bag.
6. Apparel according to claim 1, wherein the first portion of the sleeve comprises any one of the group consisting of:
- a. straps; and,
- b. slits.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 22, 2007
Publication Date: Mar 5, 2009
Inventors: Keren Kaplan-Sirota (Habika), Liya Kaplan-Shalev (Kfar Saba)
Application Number: 12/280,181
International Classification: A41D 27/02 (20060101); A41D 27/00 (20060101);