SYSTEM, METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DECORATING FOOTWEAR

Abstract

An application for an adornment for footwear that has a rim area includes a decorative portion and a way to removably attach the decorative portion to the rim area of the footwear such that when the decorative portion is attached to the rim area of the footwear, a decorative surface of the decorative portion is visible from outside of the footwear.

Description

FIELD

This invention relates to the field of footwear and more particularly to a device that attaches to an upper edge of the footwear for decorative and/or comfort improvement.

BACKGROUND

The use of footwear of known designs and configurations is known in the prior art. More specifically, footwear of known designs and configurations previously devised and utilized for the purpose of selectively changing the appearance of apparel through conventional methods and apparatuses are known to consist basically of familiar, expected, and obvious structural configurations. For example, a person has shoes of one color to match certain clothing and shoes of a different color to match other clothing.

For some individuals, there exists a desire to have many different footwear having variations in color, size, style and functionality, each matching certain clothing. Even with such, it is often desired to add decorations to the footwear to better match one's clothing. For example, if the footwear is of a solid black color, one may desire adding a small amount of turquoise to complement a turquoise blouse.

By way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,769,204 to Phillips discloses a sandal decorative device. This disclosure includes an ornamental attachment having a first hook and loop material on decorative strips and a mating hook and loop material on an upper surface of the sandal. In such, it is anticipated that the user will have one sandal and several decorative strips, changing the fashion of their sandal to match whatever outfit they are wearing.

While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patent does not describe a system that provides for adding a decoration to the rim or top edge of existing footwear such as the rim of a boot.

In this respect, the system disclosed substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art and in doing so provides an apparatus that removably attaches to an upper edge of footwear such as a boot.

Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a continuing need for a decorative adornment that is removably attached to the upper edge of footwear to improve wardrobe versatility and/or comfort.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, an adornment for footwear is disclosed. The footwear has a rim area. The adornment includes a decorative portion and a way to removably attaching the decorative portion to the rim area of the footwear such that when the decorative portion is attached to the rim area of the footwear, a decorative surface of the decorative portion is visible from outside of the footwear.

In another embodiment, a method of adorning footwear is disclosed including providing footwear that has a rim area and providing adornments. Each of the adornment have a decorative portion and a way to removably attaching the decorative portion to the rim area of the footwear. The method includes attaching a first adornment of the adornments to the rim area of the footwear such that a decorative surface of the decorative portion is visible from outside of the footwear. Next, the first adornment is removed from the rim area of the footwear. Lastly, a second adornment of the adornments is attached to the rim area of the footwear such that a decorative surface of the decorative portion is visible from outside of the footwear.

In another embodiment, an adornment for footwear that has a rim area is disclosed an outer member and an inner member interfaced to the outer member. A decorative portion covers at least part of an outer surface of the outer member and there is a way to removably attach the decorative portion to the rim area of the footwear. The outer member goes over an outside surface of the rim area and the inner member goes over an inside surface of the rim area when the adornment is attached to the rim area of the footwear.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention can be best understood by those having ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a first exemplary footwear of the prior art.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a second exemplary footwear of the prior art.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a third exemplary footwear of the prior art.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the first exemplary footwear modified by a removable adornment.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the second exemplary footwear modified by the removable adornment.

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of the third exemplary footwear modified by the removable adornment.

FIG. 7 illustrates an alternate embodiment showing a perspective view of an exemplary skirt modified by the removable adornment.

FIG. 8 illustrates an alternate embodiment showing a perspective view of an exemplary hat or cap modified by the removable adornment.

FIG. 9 illustrates an alternate embodiment showing a perspective view of an exemplary shirt or blouse cuff modified by the removable adornment.

FIG. 10 illustrates a cross sectional view of a first embodiment of the adornment.

FIG. 11 illustrates a cross sectional view of a second embodiment of the adornment.

FIG. 12 illustrates a cross sectional view of a third embodiment of the adornment.

FIG. 13 illustrates a perspective view of a first system of abutment.

FIG. 14 illustrates a perspective view of a second system of abutment.

FIG. 15 illustrates a perspective view of a third system of abutment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements in all figures.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, perspective views of exemplary footwear of the prior art are shown. FIGS. 1-3 show several types of footwear. The footwear 10/15 in FIGS. 1 and 2 have unadorned upper edges or rims 11 such as a high boot 10 or low boot 15. The footwear 12 in FIG. 3 has a fixed adornment on an upper edge or rim 13. In many examples, the adornment is a fur strip 14. A fixed adornment does not lend itself to any adjustment to match a particular wardrobe. For example, a fixed adornment of mink fur might clash with a skirt that has a hem with a different type of fur. Any type of footwear is anticipated.

Referring to FIGS. 4-6, perspective views of the exemplary footwear modified by a removable adornment are shown. Often, the top rim 19 of footwear 10 is plain and unadorned with any ornamentation. By adding a removable adornment 20, a basic shoe, boot, etc, is transformed into a coordinated accessory. Additionally, many types of footwear 10 have blunt upper edges at the rim 19 that, after extended wear, tend to chafe or rub against the wearer's calf or ankle, causing discomfort and/or irritation.

The removable adornment 20 shown n FIGS. 4-6 attaches to the upper edge 19 of the footwear 10 (any type of footwear 10 is anticipated), providing a new look to the footwear 10 and/or improving comfort to the wearer of the footwear 10. For example, by adding a turquoise colored adornment 20 to a plain, black boot 10, the wearer creates footwear 10 that coordinates with a turquoise blouse (not shown), etc. If the wearer likes different types of fur, the wearer is able to change the type of fur adorning, for example, a boot 10, to coordinate with the type of fur on their clothing, coat or jacket.

As will be shown, the adornment 20 is attached to the upper edge or rim 19 of the footwear 10 by any of the various attachment mechanisms. The wearer attaches the desired adornment to the edge or rim 19 of the footwear 10, then, when the wearer desires a change in look, the wearer removes the adornment 20 from the footwear and replaces it with a different adornment 20.

It is anticipated that the removable adornment 20 be made of any suitable material, color and texture including, but not limited to, cloth, leather, fur, simulated fur, velvet, velour, corduroy, plastic, metal, etc.

Referring to FIG. 7-9, alternate embodiment showing perspective views of an exemplary skirt 16, cap 17 and cuff 18 modified by the removable adornment 22/24/26 are shown. A similar removable adornment 22/24/26 is used to accessorize other types of clothing including, but not limited to, a skirt 16, a cap 17 and a shirt sleeve 18. The same removable attachment mechanisms as will be shown apply to the clothing removable adornments 22/24/26. The length of the removable adornments 22/24/26 matches the hem of the skirt 16, the bottom edge of the cap 17, the cuff 18, etc.

Referring to FIGS. 10-12, cross sectional views of embodiments of the adornment 20 are shown. There are many known ways to attach items to each other. It is preferred, though not required, that the adornment 20 be attached to the footwear 10 without modification or prior preparation of the footwear. Some embodiments do incorporated modifications or preparations to the footwear prior to attachment of the adornment 20. For example, in some embodiments, one or more pieces of hook and loop material 44/46, hooks (not shown), fasteners (not shown), etc are affixed to the outer surface area of the rim 19 of the footwear 10 for mating with hook and loop material 40/42, hooks (not shown), fasteners (not shown), etc that are integrated into the adornment 20. In such, it is anticipated that the hook and loop material 44/46, hooks (not shown), fasteners (not shown), etc is either manufactured into the footwear 10 or added later, for example, by the wearer.

FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of a fastening system for the adornment 20. Shown is an example of an attachment mechanism in which the adornment 20 is held in place by a series of clips or a continuous clip. A first member 30 of the adornment 20 is spread apart from the second member 32 of the adornment 20 by pulling the members 30/32 apart like a bobby-pin, thereby spreading the lower sections of the members 30/32 apart. The rim 19 of the footwear is positioned between the members 30/32 of the adornment 20. Resiliency between the members 30/32 and/or joining section 31 biases the members 30/32 towards each other, thereby holding the adornment 20 to the rim area 19 of the footwear 10 until the adornment 20 is removed from the rim 19 of the footwear 10 by, for example, pulling apart the members 30/32. It is anticipated that in some embodiments the adornment 20 be made of one material (e.g. colored plastic or metal), providing an integrated resiliency to hold the adornment 20 in place while in other embodiments the adornment 20 is made of two or more materials with a decorative layer that is visible and a base layer. For example, a fur or synthetic fur decorative layer, a plastic base layer and a metal resilient layer. Any combination of materials is anticipated that provide the desired look while also securing the adornment 20 to the rim area 19 of the footwear 10.

FIG. 11 shows another embodiment of a fastening system for the adornment 20A. FIG. 11 shows an example of an attachment mechanism in which the adornment 20A is held in place by a series of clips. A first member 34 of the adornment 20A is spread apart from the second member 36 of the adornment 20A by pressure pushing the upper part of the members 34/36 together, thereby spreading the lower sections of the members 34/36 apart and the rim area 19 of the footwear is positioned between the lower part of the members 34/36 of the adornment 20A. A resilient member or spring 38 biases the members 34/36 towards each other, thereby holding the adornment 20A to the rim area 19 of the footwear 10 until the adornment 20A is removed from the rim 19 of the footwear 10 by again pushing the upper part of the members 34/36 together. It is anticipated that in some embodiments the adornment 20A be made of one material (e.g. colored plastic or metal), providing an integrated resilient member 38 in place of the spring 38 to hold the adornment 20A in place while in other embodiments the adornment 20A is made of two or more materials with a decorative layer that is visible and a base layer. For example, a fur or synthetic fur decorative layer, a plastic base layer and a metal spring. Any combination of materials is anticipated that provide the desired look while also securing the adornment 20A to the rim 19 of the footwear 10.

FIG. 12 shows another embodiment of a fastening system for the adornment 20B. FIG. 12 shows an example of an attachment mechanism in which the adornment 20B is held in place by a series or strip of hook and loop material. A first section of hook and loop material 40 is attached to an outer surface of the rim area 19 of the footwear 10. Optionally, a second section of the hook and loop material 42 is attached to an inner surface of the rim area 19 of the footwear 10 (in embodiments in which the adornment 20B also covers an inside area of the rim area 19 of the footwear 10). An outer member of the adornment 20B has mating hook and loop material 44 on an inner surface for mating with the hook and loop material 40 on the footwear 10 and, optionally, an inner member of the adornment 20B also has mating hook and loop material 46 on an inner surface for mating with the inner hook and loop material 42 of the footwear 10. It is anticipated that the hook and loop material 40/42/44/46 is affixed or attached to the rim area 19 of the footwear 10 and/or to the inner surface of the adornment 20B in any way known in the industry including glue, stitching, double sided tape, temporary adhesives, etc. The adornment 20B is removably attached to the rim area 19 of the footwear by engaging the hook and loop materials 40/42/44/46. It is anticipated that in some embodiments the adornment 20B be made of one material (e.g. colored plastic or metal) attached to the hook and loop material 40/42 for hold the adornment 20B in place while in other embodiments the adornment 20B is made of two or more materials with a decorative layer that is visible and a base layer. For example, a fur or synthetic fur decorative layer is affixed to a plastic base layer and the hook and loop material 40/42 is affixed to the plastic base layer. Any combination of materials is anticipated that provide the desired look while also securing the adornment 20B to the rim 19 of the footwear 10.

In all embodiments, it is anticipated that at least part of the outer surface 30/34 of the adornment 20/20A/20B be decorative or be made of a decorative material. In some embodiments, the decorative material extends over the upper surface 31 of the adornment 20/20A/20B and, in some embodiments; the decorative material extends part of the way or all of the way over the inner edge 32/36, the surface facing a wearer's body.

Referring to FIGS. 13-15 perspective views of systems of abutment are shown. In some embodiments, the adornment 20 is one continuous loop, thereby, there is no abutment. It is also anticipated that in some embodiments, the adornment 20 is not one continuous loop; therefore each end of the adornment 20 abuts the other end. In some embodiments, the point at which the ends of the adornment 20 simply abut each other when attached to the rim area 19 of the footwear 10 as shown in FIG. 15. In many situations, this works well and looks fine, especially when the decorative layer is fur, thereby hiding the point of abutment.

In some embodiments, the point at which the ends of the adornment 20 meet when attached to the rim area 19 of the footwear 10 includes an abutment mechanism that hides or conceals the joint as shown, for example, in FIGS. 13 and 14. In FIG. 13, the abutments are held together by a first hook and loop material 50 that removably affixes to a second hook and loop material 52. In FIG. 14, the abutments are held together by a fastener 54 that removably affixes to a second fastener 56, such as snaps, hooks, etc.

Equivalent elements can be substituted for the ones set forth above such that they perform in substantially the same manner in substantially the same way for achieving substantially the same result.

It is believed that the system and method as described and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely exemplary and explanatory embodiment thereof. It is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.

Claims

1. An adornment for footwear, the footwear having a rim area, the adornment comprising:

a decorative portion; and

means for removably attaching the decorative portion to the rim area of the footwear;

whereas when the decorative portion is attached to the rim area of the footwear, a decorative surface of the decorative portion is visible from outside of the footwear.

2. The adornment of claim 1, wherein the means for removably attaching is a resilient base, the resilient base having an outer member, an inner member and an interface member, the interface member connecting the outer member to the inner member, the rim area is held between the outer member and the inner member by a resilient force between the outer member and the inner member.

3. The adornment of claim 2, wherein the resilient force is provided by the interface member.

4. The adornment of claim 1, wherein the resilient force is provided by one or both of the outer member and the inner member.

5. The adornment of claim 1, wherein the means for removably attaching is a plurality of clips.

6. The adornment of claim 1, wherein the means for removably attaching is hook and loop material, a first section of hook and loop material is affixed to the rim area of the footwear and a mating section of hook and loop material is affixed to an inner surface of the adornment.

7. The adornment of claim 1, wherein the decorative portion completely covers an outer surface of the adornment.

8. A method of adorning footwear, the method comprising:

providing a footwear having a rim area;

providing adornments, each adornment comprising: a decorative portion; and means for removably attaching the decorative portion to the rim area of the footwear;

attaching a first adornment of the adornments to the rim area of the footwear such that a decorative surface of the decorative portion is visible from outside of the footwear;

removing the first adornment from the rim area of the footwear; and

attaching a second adornment of the adornments to the rim area of the footwear such that a decorative surface of the decorative portion is visible from outside of the footwear.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the means for removably attaching is a resilient base, the resilient base having an outer member, an inner member and an interface member, the interface member connecting the outer member to the inner member, the rim area is held between the outer member and the inner member by a resilient force between the outer member and the inner member.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the resilient force is provided by the interface member.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the resilient force is provided by one or both of the outer member and the inner member.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the means for removably attaching is a plurality of clips.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the means for removably attaching is hook and loop material and a first section of hook and loop material is affixed to an inner surface of the adornment; the method includes the step of affixing a mating section of hook and loop material to the rim area of the footwear.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein the decorative portion completely covers an outer surface of the adornment.

15. An adornment for footwear, the footwear having a rim area, the adornment comprising:

an outer member;

an inner member interfaced to the outer member;

a decorative portion covering at least part of an outer surface of the outer member; and

means for removably attaching the decorative portion to the rim area of the footwear; the outer member being over an outside surface of the rim area and the inner member being over an inside surface of the rim area when the adornment is attached to the rim area of the footwear.

16. The adornment of claim 15, wherein the rim area is held between the outer member and the inner member by a resilient force between the outer member and the inner member.

17. The adornment of claim 15, wherein the outer member is interfaced to the inner member by a resilient interface member, the resilient interface member connecting the outer member to the inner member, the rim area is held between the outer member and the inner member by a resilient force of the resilient member.

18. The adornment of claim 15, wherein the resilient force is provided by one or both of the outer member and the inner member.

19. The adornment of claim 15, wherein the means for removably attaching is a plurality of clips.

20. The adornment of claim 15, wherein the means for removably attaching is hook and loop material, a first section of hook and loop material is affixed to the rim area of the footwear and a mating section of hook and loop material is affixed to an inner surface of the adornment.