Shoes with a fashion design mounting base material for use with interchangeable fashion design attachments

Abstract

The present invention relates to a shoe, including sandals, for men, women, and children, wherein the shoe includes a shoe display strip which traverses from an ankle strap of the shoe to a forefoot area of the shoe, along a centerline of a sole of the shoe, and wherein a top-facing surface of the shoe display strip includes a fashion design mounting base material which enables the attachment of at least one fashion design attachment. The fashion design attachment may be present in a pouch of showcase which is attached to the fashion design mounting base material, or may be attached directly to the fashion design mounting base material. In addition, the invention relates to a shoe fashion modification kit which is used in combination with a strip of material which travels from an ankle strap of said shoe to a foot retaining strap in a forefoot area of said shoe.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority under International Application No. PCT/US2012/000363, filed Aug. 20, 2012, and titled: Shoes With A Fashion Design Mounting Base Material For Use With Interchangeable Fashion Design Attachments, which is currently pending, and is related to the following applications: application Ser. No. 12/454,976 of Marcella Miriam Katz, filed Feb. 10, 2009, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,176,658 on May 15, 2012, titled: Women's Shoes, Including Sandals, With Interchangeable Fashion Inserts; U.S. application Ser. No. 13/506,158 of Marcella Miriam Katz, filed Mar. 30, 2012, titled: Women's Shoes With Lift-Off Top Showcase For Interchangeable Fashion Inserts, which is currently pending; and, U.S. application Ser. No. 13/506,831 of Marcella Miriam Katz, filed May 17, 2012, titled: Women's Shoes With Detachable Pouch or Showcase For Interchangeable Fashion Inserts, which is currently pending.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to fashion shoes, particularly including sandals, which may be worn by men, women, and children. More particularly, the invention relates to various kinds of shoes, including sandals which can be altered in decorative appearance so that the wearer of the shoes and sandals can make a selective change in the appearance of the shoes to support a current fashion trend or to make a personal interest statement.

2. Background Art

This section describes background subject matter related to the disclosed embodiments of the present invention. There is no intention, either express or implied, that the background art discussed in this section legally constitutes prior art.

For countless years women's shoes, including sandals have been an integral part of the fashion statement made through the entire ensemble of clothing worn by women. For the most part, the matching by fashion conscious women of outer clothing components and shoes, including sandals in color and/or design has required a specific pair of shoes or sandals approximately coordinating the clothing color and/or designs. In more recent years, men have become more style conscious, as is evidenced by the wide variety of clothing designs and artful designs applied to the clothing. Men's shoes, particularly casual shoes such as tennis shoes, for example, have been designed not only to provide functionality but also to provide a distinct appearance.

In addition to the economy of being able to change the appearance of a single pair of shoes so that they could be used for different occasions, it would be highly desirable if the wearer of the shoes could “dress up” the shoes to add color and design, and to personalize the shoes to compliment the appearance of the wearer. While there have been efforts in the past related to personalization by addition of decorative art on shoes, many of such efforts have been very limited in terms of amount of personalization which could be applied.

FIGS. 2A and 2B; FIGS. 3A-3C; and FIGS. 4A-4C show previous related inventions by the present applicant. All embodiments permit the use of an interchangeable fashion design insert within a display pouch or showcase of a woman's shoe. A common feature of the embodiments is a strip of material which traverses from an ankle strap of a shoe to at least one strap located at a forefoot area strap of a shoe. The pouch or showcase is attached to a strip of material which supports the pouch or showcase, where the strip of material typically extends in a direction along the centerline of the shoe sole. Applicant's previously disclosed shoe structures show the pouch or showcase being attached to the strip of material by using stitching or fasteners such as snap-ons. In one embodiment, a buckle-on technique was used to attach a pouch, where a bottom layer of the pouch provides slits or loops through which shoe straps which buckle may be passed to fasten the pouch to the shoe.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

It would be highly advantageous to be able to fasten a fashion design attachment to a shoe which comprises an ankle strap and a forefoot retaining band without the need to stitch, snap-on, or buckle on the fashion design attachment. In addition, it would be particularly advantageous to have a means of attachment which permits easy repositioning or replacement of a fashion design attachment.

As previously discussed, the placement of a fashion design attachment upon a strip of material, such that the strip passes from an ankle location to the forefront of the shoe, near the toe of the shoe, permits a fashion design attachment to ride above the flexing area of the foot when the wearer of the shoe is walking. This reduces the tendency that a fashion design insert present in an attached pouch or showcase will become permanently displaced or crimped when a person is walking in the shoe. For purposes of discussion herein, this strip of material is referred to as a “shoe display strip”.

The present invention provides an improvement in the manner by which a pouch or showcase is attached to the shoe display strip. The improvement makes it less expensive to fabricate the fashion design attachment structure, and easier to get a fashion design insert into place in a pouch or showcase. In addition, the pouch or showcase can be applied in a manner which produces a slim-line appearance, where the pouch or showcase lies relatively flat against the shoe display strip. When a design attachment is sufficiently rigid and sufficiently tough on its surface to resist the “wear and tear” which the shoe surface experiences, it is not necessary to use an insert in a protective pouch or showcase. The design attachment can be attached directly to the shoe display strip.

The present invention relates to shoes, including sandals, having a shoe display strip which typically traverses from an ankle strap to a forefront portion of the shoe. A top-facing surface of the shoe display strip includes a material (subsequently referred to herein as a fashion design mounting base material) which enables both attachment and detachment of fashion design attachments, so that a series of fashion design attachments may be used, to provide color, pattern, and imprint design coordination thereof with the other clothing items of a wearer's total clothing ensemble, by way of example. The height of the ankle strap is such that flexing and bending of the foot does not permanently disturb a fashion design attachment which is riding on the top-facing surface of the shoe display strip.

In one embodiment of the invention, the upper portion of the shoe, including an ankle strap, a shoe display strip, and at least one other shoe strap in the forefoot area of the shoe, where the number of straps depends on the shoe design, may be mounted on a shoe sole which is designed to provide a supportive arch of the kind used to improve posture, or of the kind used to improve athletic performance. The sole of the shoe may be similar to injection molded shoe soles of the kind designed to improve performance of athletes, for example and not by way of limitation. The upper portion of the shoe, including an ankle strap and shoe display strip, and at least one other foot retaining strap may be attached to the sole as a part of the rubber processing of the shoe sole, for example during an injection molding process, extrusion process, or other plastic and/or rubber processing method known in the art of manufacturing shoes.

The upper portion of the shoe may be fabricated from leather, plastic, rubber, metal, metal-containing plastic, metal-containing rubber, and combinations thereof. The materials which are used to form a fashion design mounting base material may be attached to the shoe display strip after the fabrication of other parts of the shoe or may be formed in combination with formation of the shoe display strip. In some instances the fashion design mounting base material may be created during fabrication process used to form an upper portion of the shoe which includes the shoe display strip. In addition, materials needed to form a pouch, or showcase, may be processed simultaneously or in conjunction with fabrication of an upper portion of the shoe, or in conjunction with both the upper portion and the sole portion of the shoe in some instances.

A transparent window of a pouch or showcase with edge-framing trim material may be formed simultaneously with the pouch or showcase, by injection molding or extrusion for example and not by way of limitation. In an alternative embodiment, the transparent window is formed separately and then is subsequently attached to the pouch or showcase. Depending on the method used to fabricate the upper portion of the shoe, the pouch or showcase may be fabricated in conjunction with the process used to form the upper portion of the shoe. In some instances, it would be too complex to form the pouch or showcase at the time the upper portion of the shoe is fabricated, but the pouch or showcase may be formed in conjunction with fabrication of a shoe display strip which is subsequently attached to the upper portion of the shoe. One of skill in the art of plastics and rubber processing will recognize the various possibilities available for the creation of a flat pouch or showcase which is to become a part of the finished shoe.

A fashion design attachment may be affixed to a shoe using a pouch or showcase into which a decorative insert is placed. When the pouch or showcase is created separately from fabrication of an upper portion of the shoe, a back side of the pouch or showcase is attached to a top-facing surface of a shoe display strip by applying an adhesive, magnetic material, or mechanical structure, for example, over at least a portion of the back side of the pouch or showcase. The top-facing surface of the shoe display strip includes a fashion design mounting base material which is compatible with the adhesive, magnetic material, or mechanical structure present on the back side of the pouch or showcase.

In another embodiment, a fashion design attachment may be mountable directly upon the top-facing surface of the shoe display strip, which provides a mechanical attachment, such as a hook and loop structure, a tongue and groove configuration, or other similar mechanical structure. In one alternative embodiment, the fashion design mounting base may employ a coated magnetic material having a polarity which works to attract a surface of a design attachment coated with a magnetic material having an opposite polarity.

In another alternative embodiment, the fashion design mounting base material may be a rubbery or plastic material having a textured upper surface to which an adhesive-coated. surface of a fashion design attachment will adhere.

With respect to use of a pouch or showcase, a fashion insert to be placed in a pouch or showcase may be reversible, and coordinating inserts of color, imprint design matching in color, imprint design matching clothing design, and the like may be used, for example. The insert may be an injection molded or laminated material. In the case of a fragile decorative material, this may be laminated using a laminating apparatus. A person who likes to work at crafts can create their own inserts using a laminating apparatus available at hobby shops, for example and not by way of limitation. The fashion inserts used in the pouch or showcase may vary in structural construction to enable the insert to work in coordination with the internal shape of the pouch or showcase.

One embodiment of a pouch which relates to an integral pouch structure includes an upper, transparent top layer (through which a fashion design insert is displayed) and a back side attached to the transparent top layer, where the back side includes a mechanical structure for mounting, a magnetic surface for attracting, or a pressure sensitive adhesive for gripping a shoe display strip on the shoe, by way of example and not by way of limitation.

In another embodiment, the pouch is an integrated structure which is formed from a transparent layer used in combination with at least one trim/back surface-forming layer, a portion of which provides a back surface along the edges of the back side of the transparent layer. This back surface is attached directly to an upper surface of a shoe display strip, to form a flat pouch. The at least one trim/back surface-forming layer typically has an adhesive applied to a first surface of the trim/back surface-forming layer, so that the adhesive bonds about one half of the trim/back surface-forming layer to the top surface along the edges of the transparent layer and, upon folding of the trim/back surface-forming layer over the edges of the transparent layer, bonds the remaining one half of the first surface of the trim/back surface-forming layer to the bottom surface of the transparent layer. A second adhesive is present on a second surface of the trim/back surface-forming layer which forms a back surface on the bottom of the transparent layer after the folding over of the first surface to contact the transparent layer back side. The, second surface is then bonded to the top surface of a shoe display strip using the second layer of adhesive. This forms a flat pouch on the top surface of the shoe display strip.

A related embodiment which makes use of a trim/back surface-forming layer is referred to herein as a “wrap-around” pouch. To form the “wrap-around” pouch, the trim/back surface-forming layer has a more complex shape, which is shown in FIG. 1E. In this embodiment, the trim/back surface-forming layer typically includes three portions. The first, upper portion extends above a shoe display strip wrap around area, and optionally may extend above the upper edge of the transparent layer, toward the ankle strap area of the shoe. The first, upper portion is typically used to form a portion of a frame around the upper sidewalls of the transparent layer, and when extending above the upper edge of the transparent layer, is used to form suspending legs which are folded back over the upper edges of the transparent layer, to contact a back side area of the shoe display strip which overlies an ankle strap. The suspending legs are adhered to the back side of the shoe display strip and are used to support the upper, entryway areas of the pouch into which decorative inserts are inserted, so that the insertion process does not damage the pouch. The second, middle portion of the trim/back surface-forming layer wraps around the shoe display strip to grip the shoe display strip, which is used to form the back surface of the pouch. The third, lower portion of the trim/back surface-forming layer is beneath the wrap around area, and is used to frame lower portions of the transparent layer, including the side edges and the bottom edge. Optionally, one short separate piece of trim material may be used to wrap around the top upper edge of the transparent layer so that the entire window area formed by the transparent layer is framed. The frame around the edge of the transparent layer typically extends inwardly a constant distance toward the center of the transparent layer, but in some instances the frame or portions of the frame may have a designed pattern along the internal edge of the frame.

The upper portion of a pouch, when mounted on the shoe display strip, generally extends above the upper edge of a loop at the top of the shoe display strip through which the ankle strap passes. The ankle strap may be high, on the upper ankle, or may be on a lower portion of the ankle depending on the shoe design. The bottom of the pouch generally extends to the bottom of the shoe display strip, and may extend beyond the bottom of the shoe display strip. However, as previously mentioned, the portion of the trim/back surface-forming layer which wraps around the display strip must stop at the top of the highest band which forms the forefoot portion of a shoe restraining band. The pouch is capable of receiving, retaining and displaying interchangeable fashion inserts of the kind previously described.

When a showcase is used in combination with a fashion design insert, the showcase is typically a two part structure, which includes an upper flap which is separable from a back side layer of the showcase, either totally or at least partially, where at least the upper end of the flap may be lifted to permit insertion of the fashion design insert. At least a portion of the upper flap is typically a transparent sheeting. The exterior of a back side of the showcase may include a back side material which is not the shoe display strip. In this embodiment, an attaching material such as a mechanical attachment structure, a magnetic material, or a pressure sensitive adhesive, for example, may be present on the back side of the showcase, to attach the showcase to a fashion design mounting base material. In an alternative embodiment, the shoe display strip forms the back side of the showcase and the upper flap includes fasteners for attachment directly to the shoe display strip. The showcase travels from the ankle strap to the forefront of the shoe, as discussed above with respect to the pouch. The fashion inserts used in a showcase may be more fragile, since the separable upper flap on the showcase may be lowered into place over the fashion design insert.

The interchangeable fashion design inserts for use in pouches and showcases are constructed to provide for coordinated retention and display within the transparent pouch or showcase areas. The fashion inserts may be single sided or may be reversible (with a different design on front and back) when the insert is maintained within a pouch or showcase.

In an another embodiment of the invention, a fashion display attachment may be fastened directly to the upper surface of the shoe display strip. The shoe display strip has, as an upper surface, a fashion design mounting base material. The fashion design mounting base material provides a mechanical attachment structure, a magnetic surface, or a rubbery or plastic textured surface to which a repositionable pressure sensitive adhesive may be applied. In this embodiment, the fashion display attachment has a back surface which provides a corresponding mechanical attachment structure, or magnetic surface, or includes a pressure sensitive adhesive which may be attached to the rubbery or plastic textured surface which is present on the shoe display strip upper surface. When the fashion display attachment back surface is an adhesive, a layer of release paper may be applied over the adhesive, to be removed at the time the fashion display attachment is placed on the upper, textured surface of the shoe display strip. The upper surface of the fashion design attachment must be resistant to wear and tear which occurs on the upper surface of the shoe. At least the upper surface, or possibly the entire fashion design attachment may be injection molded, extruded, or laminated to have a scratch-resistant upper surface. In an alternative, a scratch-resistant, abrasion-resistant coating may be sprayed over the surface of a fashion design material.

To extend the lifetime of a fashion display attachment which includes a pressure sensitive adhesive on its back side, applicant has designed a spray on “re-tackifying”, adhesive-rehabilitation system, where the chemical composition used to re-tackify the pressure sensitive adhesive is packaged in a small, lipstick-sized container which may be carried in a woman's purse, for example. In an alternative embodiment, the re-tackifying chemical composition is packaged as a solid material in a small, lipstick-sized container, where the chemical composition may be spread from the container over the surface of the pressure sensitive adhesive present on the back side of the fashion design attachment.

Other advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

So that the manner in which the exemplary embodiments of the present invention are attained is clear and can be understood in detail, with reference to the particular descriptions of the invention provided herein, applicants have provided illustrating drawings. It is to be appreciated that the drawings are provided only when necessary to understand the invention and that some of the potential variations in embodiments are not illustrated herein in order to not obscure the inventive nature of the subject matter of the disclosure.

FIG. 1A shows a first embodiment of a shoe 100 including an ankle strap 101, and restraining straps 102-104, where a retaining strap 104 is present at the forefront area of shoe 100. The upper sole of the shoe 106a and lower sole of the shoe 106b work in conjunction with the retaining straps 102-104 and heel area 105 to hold the shoe in place on the woman's foot. Shoe display strip 107, is shown here extending from the ankle strap 101 toward the toe area of shoe 100. Display strip 107 is shown traveling down the front of the shoe, generally over the centerline along upper sole 106a and lower sole 106b of the shoe 100. Shoe display strip 107 has on its upper surface 110 a fashion design attachment mounting bass material 108 designed to permit attachment of a fashion design attachment (not shown).

FIG. 1B shows a second embodiment of a woman's shoe 120, including an ankle strap 121, and retaining straps 122-124, where a retaining strap 124 is present at the forefront area of shoe 120. The upper sole 125a of the shoe 120 and lower sole 125b of the shoe 120 work in conjunction with the restraining straps 122-124 to hold the shoe in place on the foot. The shoe display strip (not shown) has a surface. (not shown) designed to permit attachment of a fashion design attachment 126 which presents a patterned upper surface 128.

FIG. 1C shows a third embodiment of a shoe 130, including an ankle strap 131, and retaining straps 132-134, where a retaining strap 134 is present at the forefoot area of shoe 130. The upper sole 135a of the shoe 130 and lower sole 135b of the shoe 130 work in conjunction with the restraining straps 132-134 and heel area 136 to hold the shoe in place on the woman's foot. Shoe display strip 137 has a textured surface (not shown) designed to permit attachment of a fashion design attachment 137, which is a pouch having an opening 138 into which a design insert 140 may be placed.

FIG. 1D shows a three dimensional view of a fourth embodiment of a shoe 150. In FIG. 1D, a pouch 157 having an opening 160 is present between ankle strap 151 of shoe 150, and to at least one forefoot retaining strap, such as strap 152. The pouch is a wrap-around pouch, which is formed by wrapping a trim/back surface-forming layer 170 around a shoe display strip 181, so that the upper surface of the shoe display strip 181 forms the back surface of the pouch 157 and a portion of the wrap-around trim/back surface-forming layer 170 is secured to the back surface of the shoe display strip 181.

FIG. 1E shows a wrap around trim/back surface-forming layer 170. Layer 170 includes optional upper suspending legs 171 and 177; wrap around sections 172 and 176, which wrap around the upper exterior side edges of a transparent layer 178; wrap around sections 173 and 175 which wrap around the upper surface and exterior side edges of transparent layer 178 and the back surface of a shoe display strip (not shown); and wrap around bottom section 174 which wraps around edges of the lower portion of the transparent layer 178 to form a frame on the top and bottom surfaces of transparent layer 178.

FIG. 1F shows transparent layer 178 with the trim portions 172, 174, and 176 of the trim/back surface-forming layer 170 wrapped around portions of transparent layer 178.

FIG. 1G shows a front view 180f of a shoe display strip 181 with ankle strap 151 passing through a loop 182 formed from shoe display strip 181. Shoe display strip 181 is attached near the bottom to forefoot retaining band 152 using an adhesive or stitching 155.

FIG. 1H shows a front view 190f of the show display strap (not shown) attached to and covered by transparent layer 178 framed by trim portions 173 and 175, for example from trim/back surface-forming layer 170, to form a pouch 190.

FIG. 1I shows a back side view 180b of shoe display strip 181 where ankle strap 151 passes through loop 182, and surfaces of forefoot retaining band 152 is attached at the bottom using an adhesive or stitching 155.

FIG. 1J shows a back side view 190b of shoe display strip 181 with a trim/back side forming layer 170 wrapped around the shoe display strip to form a pouch structure 190. In this embodiment, the trim/back surface-forming layer 170 includes upper leg support strips 171 and 177, which are wrapped over loop 182 of shoe display strip 181. The upper leg support strips are optional, depending on the shoe design.

FIG. 2A (Prior Art) shows a woman's shoe 200 including a pouch 202 which is stitched 211 to straps 204, 206, 208, and 210 and to the forefront 222 of shoe 200. A fashion insert 212 may be inserted and removed from pouch 202. FIG. 2B shows a cross section 2B—2B, numbered 230, of the pouch 202 with a fashion insert 245 present within the pouch 202. The pouch 202 includes a transparent layer 231 which overlies the fashion insert 245. The pouch 202 includes a bottom layer 242 which is present beneath fashion insert 245. The entire pouch 202 is stitched to the top of straps 204, 206, 208, 210, and 222, which encircle the ankle and the foot, respectively. The insert 245 includes a center support section 233 and shows a fashion design attachment 232 and 234 present on each major exterior surface of insert 245. It would be possible to use an insert which has a fashion design attachment present on only one exterior surface of insert 245, if desired.

FIG. 2B (Prior Art) shows a cross section 2B—2B, numbered 230, of the pouch 202 with a fashion insert 245 present within the pouch 202. The pouch 202 includes a transparent layer 231 which overlies the fashion insert 245. The pouch 202 includes a bottom layer 242 which is present beneath fashion insert 245.

FIG. 3A (Prior Art) shows a women's shoe 300 including a detachable pouch 302 into which a fashion insert 312 may be placed. Straps 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, and 314 are illustrated on shoe 300, where these straps are inserted through slits or channels (shown in FIG. 3C) on a bottom layer (shown in FIG. 3B and FIG. 3C) of detachable pouch 302 to hold detachable pouch 302 in position on women's shoe 300. FIG. 3B shows a cross section 3B—3B, numbered 330, of a pouch 302 with an insert 345 present within the pouch 302. The pouch 302 includes a transparent layer 331 which overlies a fashion insert 345, and includes a bottom layer 335 which is present beneath fashion insert 345.

FIG. 3C shows the bottom layer 335 of detachable pouch 302, including the slits or channels 352, 354, 356, 358, 360, and 362 through which straps 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, and 314 pass, respectively. In an alternative embodiment, bottom layer 335 might comprise loops rather than slits through which the aforementioned straps may pass.

FIG. 3B (Prior Art) shows a cross section 3B—3B, numbered 330, of the detachable pouch 302 with an insert 345 present within the detachable pouch 302. The detachable pouch 302 includes a transparent layer 331 which overlies a fashion insert 345, and includes a bottom layer 335 which is present beneath fashion insert 345.

FIG. 3C (Prior Art) shows the bottom layer 335 of detachable pouch 302, including the slits or channels 352, 354, 356, 358, 360, and 362 through which straps 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, and 314 pass, respectively.

FIG. 4A (Prior Art) shows a woman's shoe 400 including a showcase 502 into which a fashion insert may be placed. Straps 404, 406, 408, and 410, are illustrated on shoe 400, where these straps are stitched to a bottom layer which is typically shoe display strip 407 of shoe 400. A top view of display strip 407 is shown separately in FIG. 4C.

FIG. 4B (Prior Art) shows a top view 430 of the showcase 402, which includes a supporting frame 432 which may optionally include a reinforcing layer 434. Snap on female studs 436 are shown mounted on supporting frame 432, and reinforcing layer 434, where female studs 436 are designed to snap together with corresponding male studs (not shown) which are present on the display strip 407 of showcase 402.

FIG. 4C (Prior Art) shows the bottom layer, shoe display strip 407 of showcase 402, which includes the male studs 444.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

As a preface to the detailed description, it should be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

When the word “about” is used herein, this is intended to mean that the nominal value presented is precise within ±10%.

FIGS. 2A and 2B; FIGS. 3A-3C; FIGS. 4A-4C; and FIGS. 5A-5C show previous shoe structures described and claimed by the present applicant (Prior Art). These shoe structures permit the use of an interchangeable fashion design insert within a pouch or showcase which traverses from an ankle strap to a forefoot area strap of a shoe. The pouch or showcase is attached to a strip of material which traverses from the ankle strap to at least one forefoot strap, typically along the centerline of the shoe sole, to support the pouch or showcase. These Figures are described with reference numbers under “Brief Description of the Drawing Figures” above.

In the prior art described above, the attachment of the pouch or showcase is attached to the strip present on a shoe using stitching, or by fasteners such as snap-ons, for example. In an alternative, the pouch or showcase may be attached by a “buckle-on” technique where the bottom layer of a pouch or showcase provides slits or loops through which shoe straps which buckle may be passed to fasten the pouch or showcase to the shoe.

The present invention provides an improvement in the manner by which a fashion design attachment may be attached to a shoe. The improvement makes it less expensive to fabricate the fashion design attachment structure, and easier to get a fashion design insert into place in a pouch or showcase. When a design attachment is sufficiently rigid and sufficiently tough on its surface to resist the “wear and tear” which the shoe surface experiences, it is not necessary to use an insert in a protective pouch or showcase. The design attachment can be attached directly to the shoe display strip.

FIG. 1A shows a basic shoe structure which is useful for a number of embodiments of the invention. The basic shoe 100 includes an ankle strap 101, and restraining straps 102-104, where a retaining strap 104 is present at the forefront area of shoe 100. The upper sole of the shoe 106a and lower sole of the shoe 106b work in conjunction with the retaining straps 102-104 and heel area 105 to hold the shoe in place on a wearer's foot. Shoe display strip 107, is shown extending from the ankle strap 101 toward the toe area of shoe 100. Display strip 107 is shown traveling down the front of the shoe, generally over the centerline along upper sole 106a and lower sole 106b of the shoe 100. The upper surface of shoe display strip 107 comprises a fashion design mounting base material 108 to which a fashion design attachment may be attached. The fashion design mounting base material 108 may be in the form of a texture useful in conjunction with a repositionable adhesive, a mechanical structure such as a hook and loop, tongue and groove, or other mechanical structure, or a magnetic surface, by way of example and not by way of limitation.

FIG. 1B shows a first embodiment of the invention which makes use of a basic shoe structure similar to that shown in shoe 120. Shoe 120 includes an ankle strap 121, and retaining straps 122-124, where a retaining strap 124 is present at the forefront area of shoe 120. The upper sole 125a of the shoe 120 and lower sole 125b of the shoe 120 work in conjunction with the restraining straps 122-124 to hold the shoe in place on the woman's foot. In this embodiment, the shoe display strip (not shown) is designed to permit direct attachment of a fashion design attachment 126. Shoe 120 includes a fashion design mounting base material of the kind described with respect to FIG. 1A. In one advantageous embodiment, a rubbery or plastic textured surface to which a repositionable pressure sensitive adhesive may be applied is present on the upper surface of the shoe display strip. The fashion display attachment 126 has a back surface which provides a corresponding material for attachment to the shoe display strip surface, such as a pressure sensitive adhesive, for example. Since the upper surface 127 of fashion display attachment 126 is subjected to considerable wear and tear, and is often not protected by an overlying transparent layer of the kind present on the upper surface of a pouch or showcase, the upper surface may be formed from a molded or extruded plastic material, or may be a plastic coated fabric or other decorative item, for example, and not by way of limitation. In addition, the any fashion design material 128 having exposed edges 129 should be coated or finished in another matter to prevent raveling.

FIG. 1C shows a second embodiment of a shoe 130, including an ankle strap 131, and retaining straps 132-134, where a retaining strap 134 is present at the forefoot area of shoe 130. The upper sole 135a of the shoe 130 and lower sole 135b work in conjunction with the restraining straps 132-134 and heel area 136 to hold the shoe in place on the wearer's foot. The shoe display strip (not shown) has a surface (not shown) designed to permit attachment of a detachable pouch 137 having an opening 138 into which a design insert 140 may be placed. (A detachable showcase may be employed in a like manner.) The upper surface 139 of the detachable pouch 137 pouch comprises a transparent layer 141 which is typically surrounded on three sides by a framing material 141. Framing material 141 protects the edges of the transparent layer 139, and is useful in covering any rough or unfinished edges present on fashion insert 140 so that they are not visible. The construction of detachable pouch (137) may be similar in structure to that shown in FIG. 3B, where FIG. 3B shows a cross section 3B—3B, numbered 302, with an insert 345 present within the detachable pouch 302. The detachable pouch 302 includes a transparent layer 331 which overlies a fashion insert 345, and includes a bottom layer 335 which is present beneath fashion insert 345. The bottom layer 335 is attached to the upper surface of the shoe display strip using a mechanical attachment structure, or an attractive magnetic surface which corresponds with the upper surface of the shoe display strip. Or, when the surface of the shoe display strip is a rubbery or plastic textured surface, the bottom layer 335 includes a repositionable pressure sensitive adhesive which works in conjunction with the rubbery or plastic textured surface.

In one embodiment, a detachable pouch, for use in combination with a shoe of the kind illustrated in FIG. 1C may be an integrated structure which includes an upper, transparent top layer (through which a fashion design insert is displayed) and a back side attached to the transparent top layer, where the backside includes a mechanical structure for mounting, a magnetic surface for attracting, or a pressure sensitive adhesive for gripping a shoe display strip on the shoe.

In another embodiment, the pouch may be a structure which is more integrated with the shoe, and includes a transparent layer used in combination with at least one trim/back surface-forming layer.

FIG. 1D shows a general shoe structure 150 which is useful in combination with an integrated pouch of the kind described in FIGS. 1E, 1F, and 1G, for example. The at least one trim/back surface-forming layer 170 includes a surface having portions which form different functions. A first portion, including elements 171 and 177 of trim/back surface-forming layer 170 is applied to extend over and adhere to a loop 182 of a shoe display strip, as illustrated in FIG. 1J. Elements 171 and 177, which may be referred to as suspending legs, are adhered to the shoe display strip 181 and are used to support the pouch, if necessary, depending on the design. A second portion 172, 174, and 176 of trim/back surface-forming layer 170 is applied to an upper surface of transparent layer 178, and is folded over the edge to form trim sections as illustrated in FIG. 1F. A third portion of the trim/back surface-forming layer 170 is wrapped around over the edge of the transparent layer 178 and is further wrapped to contact and adhere to a back side of the shoe display strip 181, as illustrated in FIG. 1J, so that the upper surface of the shoe display strip forms the bottom surface of a pouch, where the top surface is the transparent display layer 178. Typically the trim portion which overlies an area adjacent the edge of the transparent layer and the back surface-forming layer which contacts a back side of the shoe display strip are held in place by an adhesive, so that the pouch is fastened to the transparent layer and the shoe display strip. The trim portion of the trim/back surface-forming layer forms a frame around portions of the edge of the transparent layer. Optionally, one short piece of trim material (not shown) may be used to wrap around the top upper edge of the transparent layer so that the entire window area formed by the transparent layer is framed. The frame around the edge of the transparent layer 178 typically travels a constant distance inward from the edge of the transparent layer, but in some instances the frame or portions of the frame may have a designed pattern along the internal edge of the frame.

The upper portion of a pouch, when mounted on the shoe display strip, generally extends above the upper edge of a loop at the top of the shoe display strip through which the ankle strap slips through. The ankle strap may be high, on the upper ankle, or may be on a lower portion of the ankle depending on the shoe design. The pouch generally extends to the bottom of the shoe display strip, and may extend beyond the bottom of the shoe display strip. However, as previously mentioned, the portion of the trim/back surface-forming layer which wraps around the display strip must stop at the top of the highest band which forms the forefoot portion of a shoe restraining band. The pouch is capable of receiving, retaining and displaying interchangeable fashion inserts bearing fabrics matching in color and/or fabrics matching in design, or print or weave designs, where the color, fabric design, or print or weave designs coordinate with other items of a woman's clothing ensemble. The pouch is designed to coordinate with the insert, to provide an easy in-out access for the fashion insert.

In addition to being useful in combination with a shoe display strip of the kind described with reference to FIG. 1D herein, the flat structure which is used to form the wrap-around pouch may be used to modify the center strap of a gladiator style shoe of the kind commonly available in the shoe market, to provide a completely new look for the shoe, and to permit the use of decorative inserts in combination with the shoe. For this purpose, the flat structure may be sold individually, or in combination with decorative insert forming materials, as a “kit”.

In another alternative, the wrap around pouch structure described may be used by a shoe manufacturer to produce a completed, elegant shoe, for example, which is sold as a retail product. The pouch provides the opportunity for a wearer to use designer inserts to achieve the desired look for a special occasion, or to make a statement in general about a matter of interest.

When a showcase (rather than a pouch) is used in combination with a fashion design insert, the showcase may be a two part structure, which includes an upper flap which is separable from a back side layer of the showcase, either totally or at least partially, where at least the upper end of the flap is separable and may be lifted to permit insertion of the fashion design insert. At least a portion of the upper flap is transparent in nature, and a back side of the showcase includes either a hook and loop material, tongue and groove material, magnetic material, or a pressure sensitive adhesive to provide attachment to the upper surface of the display strip on the shoe. Different trims may edge the display area of different, individual showcases. The showcase travels from the ankle strap to the forefront of the shoe, as discussed above with respect to the pouch. However the fashion inserts used in a showcase may be more fragile, since the separable upper flap on the showcase may be lowered into place over the fashion insert.

In one particularly attractive embodiment of a showcase, the separable transparent upper flap of the showcase is attached to the upper surface of the shoe display strip using snap on fasteners, preferably where male stud snap-ons are present on the upper surface of a shoe display strip, are matched to female stud snap-ins framing the back side of the transparent upper flap. Frequently a reinforcement strip is used along the lines on which the female stud snap-ins are present, to protect the transparent layer from stress during attachment and removal of the transparent upper flap of the showcase. In an alternative embodiment, the back side of the transparent upper flap may be attached to the back side of the showcase using a flexible tongue and groove design of the kind used for food storage bags, by way of example and not by way of limitation. In an another alternative embodiment, the showcase may include a back side material which is not the shoe display strip. In this embodiment, an attaching material such as a mechanical attachment structure, a magnetic material, or a pressure sensitive adhesive, for example, may be present on the back side of the showcase, to attach the showcase to a fashion design mounting base material.

The interchangeable fashion design inserts for use in pouches and showcases are constructed to provide for coordinated retention and display within the transparent pouch or showcase areas. The fashion inserts may be single sided or may be reversible (with a different design on front and back) when the insert is maintained within a pouch or showcase.

One embodiment of a pouch relates to an integral pouch structure includes an upper, transparent top layer (through which a fashion design insert is displayed) and a back side attached to the transparent top layer, where the back side includes a mechanical structure for mounting, a magnetic surface for attracting, or a pressure sensitive adhesive for gripping a shoe display strip on the shoe, by way of example and not by way of limitation.

In another embodiment, the pouch is a flatter integrated structure which is formed from a transparent layer used in combination with at least one trim/back surface-forming layer having a simpler structure, where a first surface of the trim/back surface-forming layer is in contact along the edges of the upper surface of the transparent layer and folds over the edges of the transparent layer to provide a back surface along the edges of the back side of the transparent layer. This back surface is attached directly to an upper surface of a shoe display strip, to form a flat pouch. The at least one trim/back surface-forming layer typically has a first adhesive applied to a first surface of the trim/back surface-forming layer, so that the adhesive bonds the first surface of the trim/back surface-forming layer to the top surface of the transparent layer and, upon folding of the trim/back surface-forming layer over an edge of the transparent layer, bonds another edge of the first surface of the trim/back surface-forming layer to the bottom surface of the transparent layer. A second adhesive is present on the second surface of the trim/back surface-forming layer which forms a back surface around the edging on the bottom of the transparent layer (after the folding over of the first surface to contact the transparent layer back side). The, second surface is then bonded to the top surface of a shoe display strip using the second layer of adhesive. This forms a flat pouch on the top surface of the shoe display strip.

To extend the lifetime of a fashion display attachment which includes a pressure sensitive adhesive on its back side for attachment to a shoe display strip upper surface, applicant has designed a spray on “re-tackifying”, adhesive-rehabilitation system, where the chemical composition used to re-tackify the pressure sensitive adhesive is packaged in a small, lipstick-sized container which may be carried in a woman's purse, for example. In an alternative embodiment, the re-tackifying chemical composition is packaged as a solid material in a small, lipstick-sized container, where the chemical composition may be spread from the container over the surface of the pressure sensitive adhesive present on the back side of the fashion design attachment.

While the present invention has been described and illustrated with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it is obvious that modifications and alterations of such embodiments as to form, structure and materials will occur to others skilled in the art upon their reading and understanding of this specification. It is therefore to be understood that the present invention includes all such modifications and alterations, and equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A shoe, including sandals, wherein said shoe includes a shoe display strip which traverses from an ankle strap of said shoe to a forefoot area of said shoe, along a centerline of a sole of said shoe, said shoe comprising:

said at least one ankle strap;

said at least one additional foot-retaining strap positioned in a forefoot area of said shoe;

said at least one shoe display strip which traverses from said at least one ankle strap to at least one foot-retaining strap positioned in a forefoot area of said shoe; and

a top-facing, upper surface of said shoe display strip which includes a fashion design mounting base material, which enables the attachment of at least one fashion design attachment.

2. A shoe in accordance with claim 1, wherein said at least one fashion design mounting base material is selected from the group consisting of a mechanical fastening surface, a magnetic surface, a textured rubber surface, a textured plastic surface, and combinations thereof.

3. A shoe in accordance with claim 2, wherein said fashion design mounting base material provides a mechanical fastening surface, and said mechanical fastening surface which is selected from the group consisting of a hook or loop structure, a tongue or groove structure, and combinations thereof.

4. A shoe in accordance with claim 2, wherein said fashion design mounting base material provides a textured rubber surface or a textured plastic surface which is designed to work in combination with a pressure-sensitive adhesive which is present on a surface of said shoe display strip, to provide easy, repositionable adhesion of said pouch or showcase on said shoe display strip.

5. A shoe in accordance with claim 2, wherein said fashion design mounting base material comprises a magnetic surface which works in combination with a corresponding attractive magnetic surface.

6. A shoe in accordance with claim 2, wherein a pouch or showcase used to display a decorative attachment comprises a fashion design mounting base material on a back side of said pouch or showcase and a transparent window on a front side of said pouch or showcase.

7. A shoe in accordance with claim 1, wherein a pouch is formed by direct attachment of a frame of a trim/back surface-forming layer present on a back surface of a transparent sheet to a top-facing, upper surface of said shoe display strip which includes a fashion design mounting base material

8. A shoe in accordance with claim 2, wherein said decorative attachment attaches directly to a fashion design mounting material present on an upper surface of said shoe display strip.

9. A shoe in accordance with claim 3, wherein said mounting base structure is selected from the group consisting of a hook structure, a loop structure, a tongue structure, a groove structure, or a combination thereof.

10. A shoe in accordance with claim 8, wherein said fashion design attachment has at least an upper extruded surface which is wear-resistant, or an upper surface which is coated with an abrasion-resistant coating.

11. A shoe in accordance with claim 8, wherein said fashion design attachment has a lower surface comprising a material selected from the group consisting of a mechanical fastening surface, a magnetic surface, a textured rubber surface, a textured plastic surface, and combinations thereof.

12. A shoe in accordance with claim 10, wherein said fashion design attachment has a lower surface comprising a material selected from the group consisting of a mechanical fastening surface, a magnetic surface, a textured rubber surface, a textured plastic surface, and combinations thereof.

13. A shoe in accordance with claim 1, wherein an upper portion of said shoe which includes an ankle strap, at least one forefoot-retaining strap, and a shoe display strip which includes a fashion design mounting base material is attached to an injection-molded shoe sole.

14. A shoe in accordance with claim 13, wherein said upper portion of said shoe is fabricated from leather.

15. A shoe in accordance with claim 13, wherein at least said shoe display strip of said upper portion of said shoe is also injection molded.

16. A shoe in accordance with claim 13, wherein said injection-molded shoe sole includes features designed to improve the performance of an athlete.

17. A shoe fashion modification kit which is used in combination with a strip of material which travels from an ankle strap of said shoe to a foot retaining strap in a forefoot area of said shoe, wherein said fashion modification kit comprises a transparent layer or sheet of material, and at least one trim/back surface-forming layer which can be adhered to a back side of said strip of material which travels from said ankle strap to said foot retaining strap to form a pouch on an upper surface of said strip of material.

18. A shoe fashion modification kit in accordance with claim 17, wherein said transparent layer or sheet of material comes pre-attached to said trim/back surface-forming layer.

19. A shoe modification kit in accordance with claim 17, wherein said kit also includes at least one insert which can be used within said pouch.

20. A shoe modification kit which is used in combination with a top-facing, upper surface of a shoe display strip which includes a fashion design mounting base material, which enables the attachment of at least one fashion design attachment, wherein said kit includes at least one fashion design attachment which works in combination with said fashion design mounting base material.

21. A shoe modification kit in accordance with claim 20, wherein said fashion design mounting base material is selected from the group consisting of a mechanical fastening surface, a magnetic surface, a textured rubber surface, a textured plastic surface and combinations thereof.