BOOT AND ORNAMENT COMBINATION

Abstract

The combination of a boot and an elongate decorative element extending from free end of the boot on the outside side of the boot, downwardly across the front of the upper portion of the boot, and upwardly to the pull tab on the inside side of the boot. The boot may be a cowboy boot of the type having pull tabs on the inside side and the outside side of the boot, as well as a cowboy boot or urban style boot without pull tabs.

Description

BACKGROUND

This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.

This invention relates to decorations for footwear and in particular to a boot and ornament combination.

A wide variety of decorations have been made to enhance the appearance of shoes. Most of these decorations are permanently attached to the shoe, see for example, U.S. Design Pat. Nos. D296,382, D521,214, D532,596, D540,533, D571,095, D580,648, and D591,939. Some of these decorations are removable and/or replaceable, see for example, U.S. Design Pat. Nos. D330,342, D538,029, D542,020, D81,404, D81,406, and U.S. Pat. No. 1,855,345. While most of the focus appears to have been conventional shoes, U.S. Pat. No. D330,342, entitled Boot Bracelet, discloses an ornament for boots. However, this ornament is intended to be worn low on the boot, around the ankle, where it is difficult to see, and thus, does not provide much visual impact.

SUMMARY

This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

A first preferred embodiment of the present invention, provides a combination of a cowboy-style boot having pull tabs, extending from the top edge of the boot upper on the inside side and outside side of the boot, and an elongate decorative element extending from the pull tab on the outside side of the boot, downwardly across the front of the boot upper, and upwardly to the pull tab on the inside side of the boot. Each end of the elongate decorative element preferably has a fastener thereon, so that one end of the elongate decorative element can be secured to the pull tab on each side of the boot. In one alternate embodiment, a mounting strand having an eyelet, jump ring or bail at each end is looped through the pull tab, and engaged by the fastener on the end of the elongate decorative element. In another alternate embodiment, the end portion of the elongate decorative element is looped through the pull tab, and engaged to itself with the fastener.

In an alternate embodiment, the boot is of the type in which the top edge of the boot upper dips downwardly at the front, and the elongate decorative element extends across the front of the boot upper, below the bottom edge of the dip.

A second preferred embodiment of the present invention, provides a combination of a boot having a foot-receiving portion and a generally tubular upper, extending upwardly from the foot receiving portion, and an elongate decorative element extending from the top edge of the upper on the outside side of the boot, extending downwardly across the front of the upper, and upwardly to the top edge of the upper on the inside side of the boot. Each end of the elongate decorative element preferably has a fastener thereon, so that an end of the elongate decorative element can be secured/fastened to the inside and outside sides of the boot, preferably at the top edge.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of a boot and ornament combination of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an inside side elevation view of the boot and ornament combination of the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is an outside side elevation view of the boot and ornament combination of the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial-front elevation view of the boot and ornament combination of the first embodiment;

FIG. 5A is an enlarged partial-side elevation view of the boot and ornament combination of the first embodiment, showing a first alternate method of securing the ends of the elongate decorative element to the pull tabs on the boot;

FIG. 5B is an enlarged partial-side elevation view of the boot and ornament combination of the first embodiment, showing a second alternate method of securing the ends of the elongate decorative element to the pull tabs on the boot;

FIG. 6 is a front elevation view of a boot and ornament combination of a second preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an inside side elevation view of the boot and ornament combination of the second embodiment;

FIG. 8 is an outside side elevation view of the boot and ornament combination of the second embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a front elevation view of an alternative arrangement of the boot and ornament combination of the second embodiment;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged partial-side elevation of the boot and ornament combination of the second embodiment, showing one method of securing the ends of the elongate decorative element to the sides of a boot;

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of the elongate decorative element and its mounting accessories;

FIG. 12 is side elevation of an alternate arrangement of the boot and ornament combination according to the second embodiment.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings.

A first preferred embodiment of a combination of a cowboy-style boot and ornament according to the principles of this invention, is indicated generally as 20 in FIGS. 1-3, and includes a cowboy-style boot 22 having a foot-receiving portion 24, and a generally tubular upper 26 extending generally upwardly from the foot-receiving portion 24. The boot 22 has pull tabs 28, 30 extending from the top edge 32 of the tubular upper 26 on the inside side (FIG. 3) and outside side (FIG. 2) of the boot. Otherwise, the boot 22 may be of any design, with decorative panels and stitching, stylized toe portions and heels. The foot-receiving portion 24 and the tubular upper 26 can be formed of separate pieces and joined together (as shown in FIGS. 1-3), or they can be formed by portions of the same pieces. In some embodiments (as shown in FIGS. 1-3), the top edge 32 of the tubular upper section 26 of the boot 22 can have a dip 34 at the front (and optionally the back as well).

As best shown FIG. 1, an elongate decorative element 40 extends from the pull tab 30 on the outside side of the boot 22, downwardly across the front of the tubular upper 26, and upwardly to the pull tab 28 on the inside side of the boot. The decorative element preferably remains below the top edge 32 of the tubular upper 26, even where the top edge dips (as at 34 in FIG. 1). Each end of the elongate decorative element 40 preferably has a fastener 42 thereon, so that each end of the elongate decorative element can be secured to the pull tab on one side of the boot. As shown in FIG. 5A, a mounting strand 46 having eyelets, jump rings, or bails (“eyelets”) 48, 50 on each end is looped through one of the pull tabs 28, 30, and the fastener 42 engaged to the eyelets 48 and 50. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 5B, the end portion of the elongate mounting element can be looped through one of the pull tabs 28, 30 and secured to itself with the fastener 42. Alternatively, a clip or other fastener could be provided on each end to engage one of the pull tabs.

The elongate decorative element 40 includes at least one strand 44 that extends across the front of the boot, and as shown in FIGS. 1-3, comprises two such strands. Of course there could be more than two strands 44, if desired. These strands 44 can be made of single or twisted multiple filaments, a single or twisted multiple wires, a fine or coarse chain, or as shown in FIGS. 1-3 a plurality of decorative links, and can be made of metal, fiber, leather, or other suitable materials. In addition to the strands 44, the elongate decorative element can comprise additional decorative elements such as beads, crystals, pearls, gemstones, chains, charms, pendants, bangles, and loops, of a wide variety of colors, shapes, sizes, and weights. The decorative elements can be made of metal, glass, natural stone, leather, fiber, plastic, or other suitable material.

The elongate decorative element 40 extends primarily across the front of the boot 22, providing the maximum visual impact. The elongate decorative element remains below the top edge 32 of the tubular upper 26, and above the top edge of the foot-receiving portion 24 of the boot, so that the elongate decorative element 40 is displayed on a backdrop of the boot, and so that it does not interfere with functioning of the boot or get tangled and damaged, or cause the wearer to stumble. In this preferred embodiment, at the front of the boot the elongate decorative element 40 preferably extends between about 0.5 inches below the top edge 32 of the tubular upper, and about 9 inches below the top edge of the boot, and more preferably between about 1 inch and about 6 inches from the top edge of the boot.

A second preferred embodiment of a combination of a boot and ornament according to the principles of this invention, is indicated generally as 60 in FIGS. 6-8, and includes an urban-style boot 62 having a foot-receiving portion 64, and a generally tubular upper 66 extending generally upwardly from the foot-receiving portion 64. The top edge of the boot upper can be the free end 68 of the boot (FIGS. 6-8), or the free end 68 of the tubular upper can be turned back on itself, so that the free end 68 is below the folded tope edge of the boot (FIG. 9). Otherwise, the boot 62 may be of any design, with decorative panels and stitching, stylized toe portions, and heels. The foot-receiving portion 64 and the tubular upper 66 can be formed of separate pieces and joined together (as shown in FIGS. 6-8), or they can be formed by portions of the same pieces.

As best shown in FIGS. 6-8, an elongate decorative element 40 extends from the free end 68 of the boot 62 on the outside side of the boot 62, downwardly across the front of the boot upper, and upwardly to the inside side of the boot 62. The decorative element 40 preferably remains below the top edge of the tubular upper 66. Each end of the elongate decorative element 40 preferably has a fastener 42 thereon, to secure the elongate decorative element to the sides of the boot. As shown in FIG. 10, a clip 72 can be engaged to the boot, and the fastener 42 can engage an eyelet 74, depending from the clip to secure the elongate decorative element to the boot. Alternative, the fastener 42 could be adapted to directly engage the boot. The fastener can be any type of fastener, including a clasp with spring-loaded jaws, a spring clip, an over-center clasp, or the like, provided that it does not damage the boot 62.

The elongate decorative element 40 includes at least one strand 44 that extends across the front of the boot, and as shown in FIGS. 6-8, comprises three such strands. Of course there could be more than two strands 44, if desired. These strands 44 can be made of single or twisted multiple filaments, a single or twisted multiple wires, a fine or coarse chain, or as shown in FIGS. 1-3 a plurality of decorative links, and can be made of metal, fiber, leather, or other suitable materials. In addition to the strands 44, the elongate decorative element can comprise additional decorative elements such as beads, crystals, pearls, gemstones, chains, charms, pendants, bangles, and loops, of a wide variety of colors, shapes, sizes, and weights. The decorative elements can be made of metal, glass, natural stone, leather, fiber, plastic, or other suitable material.

The elongate decorative element 40 extends primarily across the front of the boot 60, providing the maximum visual impact. The elongate decorative element remains below the free end 68 of the boot upper, and above the top edge of the foot-receiving portion of the boot, so that the elongate decorative element 40 is displayed on a backdrop of the boot, and so that it does not interfere with functioning of the boot or get tangled and damaged, or cause the wearer to stumble. In this preferred embodiment, at the front of the boot the elongate decorative element 40 preferably extends between about 0.5 inches below the free end 68 of the tubular upper, and about 9 inches below the top edge of the boot, and more preferably between about 1 inch and about 6 inches from the top edge of the boot.

As shown in FIG. 10, the boot 62 may be of the style where the free end 68 can be folded back on itself, so that it is actually below the resulting folded top edge of the boot. In this case, the clips 72 or the fasteners 42, can engage the folded top edge of the boot 62 or it can engage the exposed inner surface of the tubular upper.

The elongate decorative element 40 extends primarily across the front of the boot 62, providing the maximum visual impact. The elongate decorative element remains below the free end 68 of the tubular upper, and above the top edge of the foot-receiving portion of the boot, so that the elongate decorative element 40 is displayed on a backdrop of the boot, and so that it does not interfere with functioning of the boot or get tangled and damaged or cause the wearer to stumble. In this preferred embodiment, at the front of the boot, the elongate decorative element 40 preferably extends between about 0.5 inches below the end 68 of the tubular upper, and about 9 inches below the top edge of the boot, and more preferably between about 1 inch and about 6 inches from the top edge of the boot.

As shown in FIG. 11, the elongate decorative element 40 can be provided as a kit, comprising an elongate decorative element 40 and two mounting strands 48 for each boot, and optionally two clips 72, so that the elongate decorative element can be mounted on cowboy-style boots or on urban-style boots.

An alternate arrangement of the boot and ornament combination of the second embodiment is shown in FIG. 12, where an ornament is shown on a cowboy-style boot without the conventional pull tabs.

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.

Claims

1. In combination with a boot of the type having a foot-receiving portion, and a generally tubular upper portion extending therefrom with pull tabs projecting from the top edge of the upper portion on the inside side and the outside side of the boot, an elongate decorative element extending from the pull tab on the outside side of the boot, downwardly across the front of the upper portion of the boot, and upwardly to the pull tab on the inside side of the boot.

2. The combination according to claim 1 wherein the top edge of the upper portion has a dip at the front of the boot, and wherein the elongate decorative element extends across the front of the boot, below the dip.

3. The combination according to claim 1 wherein each end of the elongate decorative element has a fastener for engaging one of the pull tabs on the boot upper.

4. The combination according to claim 1 wherein each end of the elongate decorative element has a fastener, and further comprising a mounting strand, having an eyelet at each end, looped through each of the pull tabs on the boot, the fastener on each the end of the elongate decorative elements engaging the eyelets of one of the mounting strands.

5. The combination according to claim 1 wherein each end of the decorative chain has a faster thereon, so that the portion of the elongate decorative element adjacent the end can be looped through a pull tab, and engaged to itself with the fastener.

6. The combination according to claim 1 wherein the elongate decorative element is at least about 0.5 inches below the top edge at the front of the boot.

7. The combination according to claim 6 wherein the lowest portion of the elongate decorative element is no more than about nine inches below the top edge at the front of the boot.

8. The combination according to claim 7 wherein the lowest portion of the elongate decorative element is no more than about six inches below the top edge of the front of the boot.

9. The combination according to claim 6 wherein the lowest portion of the elongate decorative element is above the foot-receiving portion of the boot.

10. The combination according to claim 1 wherein the elongate decorative element comprises at least one strand.

11. The combination according to claim 10 wherein the elongate decorative element comprises a plurality of strands.

12. The combination according to claim 1 further comprising a fastener on each end of the elongate decorative element, and a clip engaging the top edge of the boot on the inside side and the outside side, each clip having an eyelet engaged by the fastener on one end of the elongate decorative element.

13. The combination according to claim 1 further comprising a fastener on each end of the elongate decorative element for engaging the top edge of the boot at the outside side of the boot, and the inside side of the boot.

14. In combination with a boot of the type having a foot receiving portion and a generally tubular upper extending upwardly from the foot receiving portion, elongate decorative element extending from the top edge of the upper on the outside side of the boot, extending downwardly across the front of the upper, and upwardly to the inside side of the boot.

15. The combination according to claim 14 further comprising a fastener on each end of the elongate decorative element for engaging the top edge of the boot at the outside side of the boot, and the inside side of the boot.

16. The combination according to claim 14 wherein the elongate decorative element is at least about 0.5 inches below the top edge at the front of the boot.

17. The combination according to claim 16 wherein the lowest portion of the elongate decorative element is no more than about nine inches below the top edge at the front of the boot.

18. The combination according to claim 17 wherein the lowest portion of the elongate decorative element is no more than about six inches below the top edge of the front of the boot.

19. The combination according to claim 14 wherein the lowest portion of the elongate decorative element is above the foot-receiving portion of the boot.

20. The combination according to claim 14 wherein the elongate decorative element comprises at least one strand.

21. The combination according to claim 20 wherein the elongate decorative element comprises a plurality of strands.