FOOTWEAR WITH MAGNETICALLY ADHERED COMPONENTS

Abstract

Footwear having components attached via magnetic fasteners. The components may be decorative or functional. A first footwear fastener part is permanently attached to the footwear. A second complimentary footwear fastener part is attached to a footwear component. The two fastener parts when put together secure the component to the footwear via a magnetic force.

Description

This application is based on, and claims priority to, U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/014,234, filed Dec. 17, 2007, and entitled Footwear with Magnetically Adhered Components.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Footwear often includes functional or decorative components. Both are permanently attached to the footwear. Functional components may include for example, straps and buckets. Decorative components may include for example, fringe or appliqués that are stitched to the footwear. Other components, such as rivets may serve either a functional or decorative purpose.

Footwear with removable decorative components is known in the art. For example, the Crocs™ product provides a synthetic shoe with openings into which decorative components can be inserted and snapped in place. The shoes must have openings to accommodate the decorations.

Many types of footwear could benefit by having a means for removably attaching functional or decorative components, particularly if the footwear could be worn with or without the extra components. Unfortunately, not all footwear lends itself to having holes into which components can be attached, because of either aesthetic or functional reasons. Creating footwear with removable components without limiting the style or function has been difficult because attachment mechanisms have either required unwanted holes or other features or because the attachment mechanisms were not reliable enough to withstand use.

Accordingly, footwear with removable components that can be made attractive and durable would be well received in the industry.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention includes footwear having components attached via magnetic fasteners. The components may be decorative or functional. A first footwear fastener part is permanently attached to the footwear. A second complimentary footwear fastener part is attached to a footwear component. The two fastener parts when put together secure the component to the footwear via a magnetic force.

The invention includes a method of manufacturing footwear having fastener components incorporated into the product. Additionally, the invention includes a product having footwear with one or more magnetic fastener parts incorporated therein, plus one or more components attached to a complimentary fastener, sold as a single product.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-B depict a shoe with fasteners incorporated therein according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 depicts a shoe with visible fasteners incorporated therein according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 3A-C depicts a two part fastener according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 depicts a boot having visible fasteners incorporated therein according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 depicts a boot having fasteners incorporated therein according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 6A-B depict a shoe with fasteners incorporated therein according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 depicts a shoe according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention provide footwear, for example, flats, pumps, boot and sandals, enhanced with components magnetically adhered to the footwear. This can be accomplished by having at least a portion of the component magnetized, and providing an oppositely magnetized component on or within the footwear. It is also possible to affix the components to the footwear by having only the component or a portion thereof magnetized and providing non-magnetized metal on or within the shoe. The reverse could also be effective, wherein the footwear contains one or more magnetized areas and the components contain non-magnetized metal. Generally, the strongest bond will be achieved when both the footwear and the components contain magnetized portions. The term “fastener part” will be used herein to describe either a magnetized or a complimentary non-magnetized part used to attach a component to footwear. Both the footwear and the component will include a fastener part so that when they are brought together they will adhere to one another. These will be referred to as footwear fastener part and component fastener part, respectively.

The footwear fastener part can be disposed within space between the lining and outer part of the footwear upper if the magnetic force is strong enough. This will allow the footwear to be worn without attached components while maintaining desirable styling. Footwear fasteners can also be placed within or on heels of the footwear and components adhered thereto.

In a particular embodiment of the invention the fastener comprises two separable parts, one or both of which are magnetized, wherein a portion of one fastener part is visible from the exterior of the footwear. Preferably the fastener portion disposed on the footwear does not penetrate the interior surface of the footwear so there is no irritation to the foot of the wearer. If only the footwear fastener part or the component fastener part are magnetized, the complimentary fastener part will have at least a portion of which is a metal that will be attracted to the magnet. “Complimentary” as used herein means that the parts will adhere to one another. It includes parts that are structurally complimentary, such as a cylindrical component and a hole that can accommodate the cylinder. It can also include a magnetic fastener part and a metal fastener part that can attach to one another at various locations on one of the parts. For example, the footwear fastener component can be a metal strip and the complimentary component fastener part can magnetically adhere at various locations on the metal strip.

When footwear and component fastener parts are complimentary in shape the component can be more specifically located. Complimentary shapes can also reduce the possibility of the component being disengaged when the item is worn. A non-cylindrical feature of the fastener can serve to specifically orient the attached component. A less structurally complimentary component, such as a metal strip can provide sizing choices, such as for straps.

The type of fastener used may depend in part on the area in which it will be placed. The fasteners should be incorporated into the footwear in a manner that will not cause discomfort to the wearer. Certain sections of the footwear will be more vulnerable to discomfort than others. The amount of flexing an area will sustain may also determine the type of fastener used. Both rigid and flexible fasteners are within the scope of the invention for use either on the footwear or the attachable component.

It is possible to incorporate the footwear fasteners into the outer portion of the shoe upper in a manner that is attractive when worn without attached components. Visible footwear fasteners can be plain, such as studs or be formed into decorative shapes, embossed, enameled, etc. Footwear fasteners can also be incorporated into the outer portion of the upper with the intent that components will always cover the fasteners.

Embodiments of the invention lend themselves to decorative components; however, components can also be functional in nature. For example, a pocket can be attached to the side of a boot or a strap to a shoe. Components can be both decorative and functional at the same time. Decorative components may be objects, such as animals, geometric shapes, etc, or may be in the form of panels, straps, bands, buckles, fringe etc. A decorative strap such as on a Mary Jane, or other trim component can be made interchangeable with components of other colors, textures, etc.

Fasteners can be attached to the footwear by various methods. For example, the fastener can be glued or bonded in place, stitching can be provided around the fastener to hold it into position, or the fastener can be stitched to the footwear. Likewise, the fastener can be attached to the components in various manners, which may depend in part of the type of component used. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the fastener part or parts have prongs that can penetrate the footwear material or component. Once through the material, the prongs are bent to inhibit the fastener pats from dislodging from the shoe material or component.

The attached figures show various illustrative types of footwear with fasteners disposed therein or thereon. FIG. 1A shows a shoe 100 with fastener parts incorporated into the shoe without being visible when components are not attached. FIG. 1B shows an illustrative placement of fastener parts. Placement of the fastener parts is depicted by x-marks.

FIG. 2 depicts a pump 200 with fastener parts 202, 204, 206 disposed within a section 208 of the shoe. Fasteners 202, 204, 206 are visible and may be for example, the type depicted in FIGS. 3A-C.

FIG. 3A depicts a first fastener part 300 having prongs 302, 304. First fastener part 300 is depicted as a female part in FIG. 3C. Fastener part 300 houses a magnet so that second fastener part 306 will be attracted thereto. Second fastener part 306 comprises a metal that is attracted by the magnetic force generated by the magnet in fastener part 300. Fastener part 306 is depicted as a male part in FIG. 3B.

Fastener part 306 has a cylindrical protrusion 308 that can be solid or hollow. FIG. 3C shows the opposite side of fastener part 300 from that which is shown in FIG. 3A. Fastener part 300 has a circular hole 310 that can accommodate cylindrical protrusion 308. Protrusion 308 and hole 310 can be of a non-cylindrical shape so that each fastener portion would have to be oriented in a specific manner to be fastened together. This could be accomplished for example by using a square protrusion and a square hole.

The magnet can be housed in either the male of female fastener part, or both. Additionally, the fastener parts need not have holes and protrusions. They both can have, for example, flat mating surfaces. For most applications, wherein male and female fastener parts are used, it will be preferable to have the female part on the shoe and the male part on the footwear component.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show boots 400 and 500, respectively. Boot 400 has visible fasteners, 402, 404, 408, 408, whereas boot 500 has fasteners, depicted as x-marks, disposed beneath the outer layer of the boot in boot section 502. Boot 500 is shown fabricated with a combination of materials. Boot section 502 is fabricated for example, of leather. Boot section 504 is fabricated of a knitted material, such as a sweater material. It is possible to incorporate the fasteners into either of those materials. Boot section 502 may also be fabricated from other expandable materials such as elastics or elastic-like materials. This can aid in retaining the attached components in place, as flexing will be accommodated more readily by the stretchy portion of the footwear, so that components attached to parts of less flexible material will not be subject to as much movement.

FIG. 6A illustrates another shoe 600 with fasteners incorporated therein. Another view of a portion of the shoe is shown in FIG. 6B. The section across the front upper has fasteners placed throughout a portion of it. This section or strap-like component can also be removably attached to the shoe by magnets, although with this particular positioning the fasteners would have to create a particularly strong bond to satisfactorily attach the band-like component to the shoe.

FIG. 7 depicts a shoe 700 having three female fastener parts 702, 704, 706 incorporated into and camouflaged by the flower design on the shoe. The flower design may have depth to maximize hiding of the fastener parts. For example, the flowers may be separate pieces of material attached to the shoe.

Embodiments of the invention also include a product comprising footwear having fasteners incorporated in or on it, and one or more components containing fasteners, intended to be sold as a set.

Further included in the invention are methods for manufacturing footwear with magnetically adhered components.

While the invention has been described by illustrative embodiments, additional advantages and modifications will occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to specific details shown and described herein. Modifications, for example to the particular placement of magnets, and attachment of the fasteners to the shoes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the specific illustrative embodiments, but be interpreted within the full spirit and scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. Footwear comprising: wherein the two fastener parts when put together secure the component to the footwear via a magnetic force.

a first footwear fastener part permanently attached to the footwear;

a second complimentary footwear fastener part permanently attached to a footwear component;

2. The footwear of claim 1 wherein the first footwear fastener part is disposed on the footwear such that no portion of the fastener part protrudes through the inner surface of the footwear.

3. The footwear of claim 1 wherein one of the first or second footwear fastener parts has a cylindrical protrusion and the other of the first or second footwear fastener parts has a cylindrical hole into which the cylindrical protrusion fits.

4. The footwear of claim 1 wherein one of the first or second footwear fastener parts has a non-cylindrical protrusion and the other of the first or second footwear fastener parts has a non-cylindrical hole into which the non-cylindrical protrusion fits.

5. The footwear of claim 1 wherein the first and second footwear fastener parts are magnetic.

6. The footwear of claim 1 wherein one of the first or second footwear fastener parts is magnetic and the other of the first or second footwear fastener part is a metal to which the magnetic part is attracted.

7. The footwear of claim 1 wherein the footwear fastener part is disposed on the footwear so it is visible from the exterior of the footwear.

8. The footwear of claim 1 further comprising one or more additional complimentary footwear fastener parts, each permanently attached to a footwear component.

9. A method of manufacturing footwear comprising:

permanently attaching a first footwear fastener part to the footwear;

permanently attaching a second complimentary footwear fastener to a footwear component;

wherein the two fastener parts when put together secure the component to the footwear via a magnetic force.

10. The method of claim 9 comprising:

attaching the first footwear fastener part to the footwear such that no portion of the fastener part protrudes through the inner surface of the footwear.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein one of the first or second footwear fastener parts has a cylindrical protrusion and the other of the first or second footwear fastener parts has a cylindrical hole into which the cylindrical protrusion fits.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein one of the first or second footwear fastener parts has a non-cylindrical protrusion and the other of the first or second footwear fastener parts has a non-cylindrical hole into which the non-cylindrical protrusion fits.

13. The method of claim 9 wherein the first and second footwear fastener parts are magnetic.

14. The method of claim 9 wherein one of the first or second footwear fastener parts is magnetic and the other of the first or second footwear fastener part is a metal to which the magnetic part is attracted.

15. The method of claim 9 wherein the footwear fastener part is disposed on the footwear so it is visible from the exterior of the footwear.

16. The method of claim 9 further comprising providing one or more additional complimentary footwear fastener parts, each permanently attached to a footwear component.

17. The method of claim 9 comprising disposing the footwear fastener part on the footwear so it is visible.

20. A footwear product comprising:

footwear having: a first footwear fastener part permanently attached to the footwear; a plurality of second complimentary footwear fastener parts each permanently attached to a footwear component;

wherein the two fastener parts when put together secure the component to the footwear via a magnetic force.