Decorative Straps for Shoes

Abstract

A decorative strap for a shoe includes a body having a shape that substantially corresponds to a shape of the strap section of the shoe. The body of the decorative strap includes a first end and a second end. Each of the ends includes a slot formed therein. The slot is configured to capture the rivets of the strap section of the shoe thereby coupling the decorative strap to the strap section such that the decorative strap completely covers the outer region of the strap section.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/094,544 entitled “Decorative Strap for Shoes” filed Sep. 5, 2008, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates, in general, to a decorative strap for footwear, and more specifically, to a removably attachable and interchangeable decorative strap for the type of footwear sold under the name Crocs.

2. Description of Related Art

With reference to FIG. 1, shoes, sold under the name Crocs, generally include a base section 110 and a strap section 120. Base section 110 includes an upper portion and a sole 162. The upper portion includes a substantially horizontal portion 152 that can include one or more ventilators 182a-c and a substantially vertical region 151 that includes one or more ventilators 181a-c. Substantially horizontal region 152 rises toward an upper opening perimeter 170. A decorative pattern 190 may be formed or created near upper opening perimeter 170. The upper portion also includes a toe region that surrounds the toes of a human foot when inserted into base section 110. Sole 162 includes a rear sole perimeter 160 that defines the rear portion of sole 162. Rear sole perimeter 160 is typically raised above a support base 165 positioned in contact with the bottom part of the human foot. Strap section 120 includes an outer region 122, an inner region 121, and rounded ends 130. Strap section 120 is attached to base section 110 by rivets 131 that are placed through holes in both strap ends 130 and in the upper portion at an attachment point. Strap section 120 is configured to be pivoted in relation to base section 110 such that strap section 120 can contact upper opening perimeter 170 when pivoted in one direction, and rear sole perimeter 160 when pivoted in the other direction.

It has become popular to decorate shoes such as the ones illustrated in FIG. 1, with beads, clasps, and other elements that can be positioned within ventilators 182a-c. However, such decorative elements are not capable of being coupled to strap section 120. In addition, shoes such as the ones illustrated in FIG. 1 are also manufactured with different designs and logos. However, the user is unable to change this design after the shoes are purchased.

Accordingly, a need exists for a strap that can be removably coupled to strap section 120 of the shoes illustrated in FIG. 1 to thereby allow a user to customize his/her shoes with various designs and logos.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a decorative strap that can be removably coupled to the strap section of the shoes illustrated in FIG. 1. The decorative strap of the present invention allows a user to customize his/her shoes with various designs and logos.

The decorative strap of the present invention includes a body having a shape that substantially corresponds to a shape of the strap section of the shoe. The body of the decorative strap includes a first end and a second end. Each of the ends includes a slot formed therein. The slot is configured to capture the rivets of the strap section of the shoe thereby coupling the decorative strap to the strap section such that the decorative strap completely covers the outer region of the strap section.

The decorative strap may be made from polyester covered neoprene rubber or any other suitable material. The decorative strap may also include various designs, logos, indicia, or any combination thereof on a front face of the decorative strap. An adhesive may also be provided on the back face of the decorative strap to allow the decorative strap to be completely secured to the strap section of the shoe. The slots may be formed as lines, crosses, X-shapes or any combination thereof. The body of the decorative strap may have a length of about six inches, a width of about one inch, and a thickness of about 0.06 inches.

The present invention is also directed to a method of attaching a decorative strap to a shoe. First, a decorative strap is provided. The decorative strap includes a body having a shape that substantially corresponds to a shape of a strap section of a shoe. The body has a first end, a second end, a front face, and a rear face. The decorative strap also includes: a first slot formed at the first end of the body; a second slot formed at the second of the body; and a design formed on the front face of the body. The method also includes the steps of: capturing a first rivet of the strap section of the shoe with the first slot; extending the body of the decorative strap over the strap section of the shoe such that the rear face of the body covers the strap section; and capturing a second rivet of the strap section of the shoe with the second slot, thereby coupling the decorative strap to the strap section such that the decorative strap covers an outer region of the strap section.

The body may be formed from polyester covered neoprene rubber, and the design may include logos, indicia, or any combination thereof. The method may further include the step of applying an adhesive on the back face of the decorative strap to allow the decorative strap to be completely secured to the strap section of the shoe. The slots may be formed as crosses, X-shapes, or any combination thereof The body may have a thickness of about 0.06 inches, a length of about six inches, and a width of about one inch.

Further provided is a decorative strap for customizing an appearance of a shoe. The decorative strap includes: a body configured to at least partially cover a strap section of the shoe; a first coupling mechanism provided at a first end of the body; a second coupling mechanism provided at a second end of the body; and a design formed on the body between the first end and the second end. The first coupling mechanism and the second coupling mechanism are configured to secure the body to the strap section of the shoe.

The first coupling mechanism and the second coupling mechanism may be slots formed in the body. The body may be formed from polyester covered neoprene rubber. The design may include logos, indicia, or any combination thereof.

The foregoing and other features and characteristics, as well as the methods of operation and functions of the related elements of structures and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in the various figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a conventional shoe for use with the decorative strap of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a decorative strap in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the decorative strap of FIG. 2 and the shoe of FIG. 1; and

FIGS. 4-8 are various views of the shoe (shown in phantom) of FIG. 1 with the decorative strap of FIG. 2 positioned thereon in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

For purposes of the description hereinafter, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “right”, “left”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “top”, “bottom”, “lateral”, “longitudinal”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as it is oriented in the drawing figures. However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative variations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the invention.

With reference to FIGS. 2-8, a decorative strap, denoted generally as reference numeral 1 includes a body 3 having a shape that substantially corresponds to a shape of strap section 120 of the shoe of FIG. 1. Body 3 of decorative strap 1 includes a first end 5 and a second end 7. Each of the ends 5, 7 includes a slot 9 formed therein. Slot 9 is configured to capture rivets 131 of strap section 120 of the shoe thereby coupling decorative strap 1 to strap section 120 such that decorative strap 1 completely covers outer region 122 of strap section 120. While FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate slots 9 as having a linear shape, this is not to be construed as limiting the present invention as various other shapes for slots 9 have been envisioned. For instance, slots 9 may be formed as crosses, X-shapes, star-shapes, asterisk-shapes, or any other suitable shape that is capable of capturing rivet 131 of strap section 120.

Decorative strap 1 also includes a front face 11 and a back face 13. Front face 11 includes various designs, logos, indicia, or any combination thereof. This allows a user to customize his/her shoe. For instance, a user may have a plurality of decorative straps 1 that each has a different design, logo, or indicia. The user can then select a first decorative strap and attach it to strap section 120 of the shoe in the manner described hereinabove. Thereafter, the user can remove the first decorative strap and attach a second decorative strap to strap section 120 of the shoe.

Body 3 of decorative strap 1 may be made from polyester covered neoprene rubber. However, this is not to be construed as limiting the present invention as any other suitable material may be used to construct body 3. The material used to construct body 3 may be any color. In addition, body 3 of decorative strap 1 may have a length of about six inches, a width of about one inch, and a thickness of about 0.06 inches. However, these dimensions are not to be construed as limiting the present invention as body 3 may have any dimensions such that it substantially corresponds to strap section 120 of the shoe.

An adhesive (not shown) may also be provided on back face 13 of decorative strap 1 to allow decorative strap 1 to be completely secured to strap section 120 of the shoe.

Although the invention has been described in detail for the purpose of illustration based on what is currently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements. Furthermore, it is to be understood that this disclosure contemplates that, to the extent possible, one or more features of any embodiment can be combined with one or more features of any other embodiment.

Claims

1. A decorative strap comprising:

a body having a shape that substantially corresponds to a shape of a strap section of a shoe, the body having a first end, a second end, a front face, and a rear face;

a first slot formed at the first end of the body;

a second slot formed at the second of the body; and

a design formed on the front face of the body,

wherein the first slot and the second slot are configured to capture rivets of the strap section of the shoe thereby coupling the decorative strap to the strap section such that the decorative strap covers an outer region of the strap section.

2. The decorative strap of claim 1, wherein the body is formed from polyester covered neoprene rubber.

3. The decorative strap of claim 1, wherein the design comprises logos, indicia, or any combination thereof.

4. The decorative strap of claim 1, wherein an adhesive is provided on the back face of the decorative strap to allow the decorative strap to be completely secured to the strap section of the shoe.

5. The decorative strap of claim 1, wherein the slots are formed as crosses, X-shapes, or any combination thereof.

6. The decorative strap of claim 1, wherein the body has a thickness of about 0.06 inches.

7. The decorative strap of claim 1, wherein the body has a length of about six inches.

8. The decorative strap of claim 1, wherein the body has a width of about one inch.

9. A method of attaching a decorative strap to a shoe, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a decorative strap comprising: a body having a shape that substantially corresponds to a shape of a strap section of a shoe, the body having a first end, a second end, a front fac, and a rear face; a first slot formed at the first end of the body; a second slot formed at the second of the body; and a design formed on the front face of the body;

capturing a first rivet of the strap section of the shoe with the first slot;

extending the body of the decorative strap over the strap section of the shoe such that the rear face of the body covers the strap section; and

capturing a second rivet of the strap section of the shoe with the second slot, thereby coupling the decorative strap to the strap section such that the decorative strap covers an outer region of the strap section.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the body is formed from polyester covered neoprene rubber.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the design comprises logos, indicia, or any combination thereof.

12. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of applying an adhesive on the back face of the decorative strap to allow the decorative strap to be completely secured to the strap section of the shoe.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the slots are formed as crosses, X-shapes, or any combination thereof.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein the body has a thickness of about 0.06 inches.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein the body has a length of about six inches.

16. The method of claim 9, wherein the body has a width of about one inch.

17. A decorative strap for customizing an appearance of a shoe, the decorative strap comprising:

a body configured to at least partially cover a strap section of the shoe;

a first coupling mechanism provided at a first end of the body;

a second coupling mechanism provided at a second end of the body; and

a design formed on the body between the first end and the second end,

wherein the first coupling mechanism and the second coupling mechanism are configured to secure the body to the strap section of the shoe.

18. The decorative strap of claim 17, wherein the first coupling mechanism and the second coupling mechanism are slots formed in the body.

19. The decorative strap of claim 17, wherein the body is formed from polyester covered neoprene rubber.

20. The decorative strap of claim 17, wherein the design includes logos, indicia, or any combination thereof.