DECORATIVE DEVICE, SYSTEM AND PROCESS THEREOF

Abstract

A decorative device adapted for securing to a shoe lace attached to a shoe, wherein the device includes: a body selected from the following group shapes when viewed from a top view: ovoid, kidney bean, cigar, square, or circular; wherein the device includes at least an upper surface joined a lower surface wherein the lower surface is relatively flat and adapted to engage an upper contacting surface of the shoe, when in use; and wherein the device includes a bore in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the device.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims the benefit of Australian Provisional application no. 2013903164 filed on Aug. 21, 2013 and Australian Provisional application no. 2013903656 filed on Sep. 23, 2013, each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FILED OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a decorative device, system and process thereof. More specifically, the present invention may preferable be adapted to be used with or in conjunction with shoe laces fitted to shoes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Shoe lace decorations have been previously used to increase the individuality of shoes for the wearer. Typically, shoe lace decorations were aimed to increase visibility of the shoe and allow the user or wearer to express an element of individuality.

Prior to the present invention, shoe lace decorations were generally clipped onto existing shoes using complicated attachment means.

Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Problems to be Solved

There has been a long felt need for a decorative device, system or process that allows people wearing shoes to individualise or accessories regular shoes.

The present invention may also aim to provide a decorative device, system or process that overcomes problems associated with the prior art associated with complex locking or securing mechanisms.

Further, it may also be a long felt need for a decorative device that preferably doesn't move, when in use, into a configuration wherein the decorative device is no longer visible or has been dislocated from the preferred position.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a useful alternative.

Means for Solving the Problem

A first aspect of the present invention may relates to a decorative device adapted for securing to a shoe lace attached to a shoe, wherein the device includes: a body selected from the following group shapes when viewed from a top view: ovoid, kidney bean, cigar, square, or circular; wherein the device includes at least an upper surface joined a lower surface wherein the lower surface is relatively flat and adapted to engage an upper contacting surface of the shoe, when in use; and wherein the device includes a bore in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the device.

Preferably, the bore includes a diameter of between 2 to 4 mm and the bore may be adapted to receive a shoe lace.

Preferably, the bore is oriented in a direction parallel to the lower surface. The bore may be positioned closer to the midpoint of the lower surface than the midpoint of the upper surface.

Preferably, the decorative device has a length less than 2 cm. Additionally, the decorative device may have a width between 0.5 to 1 cm.

Preferably, the upper surface of the decorative device may be convex and may also include a recessed portion.

Further aspects of the present invention may include the process described in the embodiments and the system described in the embodiments.

In the context of the present invention, the words “comprise”, “comprising” and the like are to be construed in their inclusive, as opposed to their exclusive, sense, that is in the sense of “including, but not limited to”.

The invention is to be interpreted with reference to the at least one of the technical problems described or affiliated with the background art. The present aims to solve or ameliorate at least one of the technical problems and this may result in one or more advantageous effects as defined by this specification and described in detail with reference to the preferred embodiments of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a top view of an first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 depicts a side view of an first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 depicts a top view of a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 depicts a side view of a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 depicts a top view of a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 depicts a side view of a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 depicts a top view of an fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 depicts a side view of an fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 depicts a top view of a fifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 depicts a side view of a fifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 depicts a top view of a sixth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 depicts a side view of a sixth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 depicts a top view of a seventh embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 depicts a side view of a seventh embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 15 depicts perspective view of at least some of the preferred embodiments of the present invention shown in use and positioned on shoe lacing on a pair of shoes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings and non-limiting examples.

A second embodiment as shown in FIGS. 3 & 4 of the preferred invention is a device generally shaped to look like a jelly bean or a kidney bean shape. This second embodiment is a decorative device adapted to be attached to shoe laces for increasing their visibility and adding individual expression to a shoe by decorating the laces.

Further embodiments, preferably, may be in the shape or form of stylised lolly. Preferably, the devices are in the range of 1 to 2 cm long, 0.5 to 1 cm in width with a bore or hole running through the device approximately along the longitudinal axis of the device.

The bore is preferably 2-4 mm in diameter and more preferably 3.5 mm. The bore is adapted to allow for the threading of shoe laces through the bore. This threading allows the decorative devices to be secured to the shoe.

The preferred maximum length of the device is generally less than the width between the eyelets of a shoe to which the device is attached, when the shoe lace is tightened and secured to a foot in the regular manner.

Preferably, multiple devices may mounted or threaded or positioned along the ribbing of the shoe lace, wherein the ribbing is defined as being the length of shoe lace distributed between two parallel sets of eyelets.

According to further embodiments, the shape or configuration of the devices may any interesting shape less than the width of the ribbing. Typically, to be suitable for children's shoes, the length of the device must be no greater than about 2 cm.

Other embodiments include other shapes are shown and depicted in the accompanying figures, these include: circular, ovoid, square and cigar shaped, when viewed from a top view. Generally, the devices are of a smooth finish and constructed of resin or other relatively rigid polymer.

Typically the devices are constructed by a process, whereby the devices are constructed of resign. The resin is melted and poured into moulds, then the moulds are removed. The devices are then sanded to remove burrs, and then air blasted to further smooth the outer surface. A hole or bore is drilled along the length of the device.

Additives may be added to the resin to provide coloured effects or increase visibility of the device, and these additives may include:

Three different groups of colours and/or additives including the following categories.

TRANSPARENT COLOURS

• Emerald green
• Turquoise
• Aztec gold
• Magenta
• Shocking pink
• Mandarine
• Honey brown
• Fluorescent orange
• Kelly green
• Scarlet red
• Bright purple
• Brilliant blue
• Fluorescent lime
• Violet
• Red
• Fluorescent yellow
• Lemon yellow

OPAQUE PIGMENTS

• Green
• Red
• Blue
• Burnt umber
• Black
• Skin tone
• Chrome yellow
• White
• Orange
• Violet

PEARL PIGMENTS

• Pale gold
• Silver
• Super bronze
• Sky blue
• Brilliant yellow
• Flamingo pink
• True blue
• Super copper
• Aztec gold
• Duo red-Blue
• Reflex violet
• Sparkle gold
• Salmon pink
• Misty lavender
• Mink
• Spring green
• Pumpkin orange
• Pearl white
• Blue russet

GLOW IN THE DARK

Luminescent powder mixed with clear resin including the following pigments:

• 1. Ultra Green
• 2. Ultra blue
• 3. Pure blue
• 4. White
• 5. Daytime yellow (vibrant yellow day time colour/Green-yellow glow colour)
• 6. Daytime pink (vibrant pink day colour/orange-peach glow colour
• 7. Super phos Green
• 8. Super phos Aqua
• 9. Super phos Blue
• 10. Super phos White
• 11. Super phos Violet
• 12. Super phos Red

Importantly, the devices generally have lolly like appearance with bright colours and familiar lolly shapes. The devices are typically rounded with one longitudinal side of the device sanded or moulded flat. When in use, the flat side is adapted to rest or be pushed against the tongue or upper contacting surface of the shoe preventing or limiting the device from rolling around the shoe lace when in use.

Preferably, the embodiments of the present invention included rounded or chamfered edges to prevent the decorative devices being accidentally caught on shoes or people, when in use.

Glow in dark pigments or dyes may be added to increase visibility at night.

A first embodiment is shown in FIGS. 1 & 2. FIGS. 1 and 2 depict a decorative device 1 in the general shape and configuration of a boiled lolly. The decorative device 1 includes a rounded upper surface 2. A bore 3 has been drilled through the approximate centre of the longitudinal axis of the decorative device 1. The bore 3 is adapted to receive a shoe lace when in use.

The decorative device 1 also includes a lower surface 5 which is adapted to engage the tongue or upper contacting surface of a shoe, when in use. Preferably, the lower surface 5 is adapted to be relatively flat or linear and may generally prevent or limit accidental rotation of the decorative device 1, when in use.

The edges running along the length of the decorative device 1 include a ruffled edge 4 to give the appearance of the decorative device 1 being a boiled lolly.

Preferably, the bore 3 should preferably be adjusted or modified so that it is closer to the midpoint of the lower surface 5 than midpoint of the upper surface 2. This may also reduce the torque or rotational forces experienced by the decorative device 1 to reduce or ameliorate the likelihood of rotation of the device. The bore 3 has been depicted as being oriented in a direction generally parallel the lower surface 5.

FIGS. 2 & 3 depict a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein the decorative device 1 as shown in the figure is a general jelly bean shape or kidney bean shape. This embodiment has similar features to that described with reference to FIGS. 1 & 2.

Further, the bore 3 has been positioned significantly closer to the midpoint of the lower surface 5 than the midpoint of the upper surface 2.

Additionally, it is noted that the bore 3 is a straight bore and does not necessarily conform the overall bent shape of this decorative device 1 shown in FIG. 3.

The third embodiment is depicted in FIGS. 5 and 6. This third embodiment is similar to the first embodiment but wherein the decorative device 1 is generally circular when viewed from the top view.

The third embodiment includes a collar region 6 joining the upper surface 2 to the lower surface 5. The upper surface is generally convex. The collar region is wide enough to allow for the positioning of the bore 3 through the decorative device 1 at a location wherein the bore enters and exits the device via the collar region 6.

The third embodiment is generally lolly shaped.

The fourth embodiment is depicted in FIGS. 7 & 8. The fourth embodiment is similar to the third embodiment. However, in this embodiment the upper surface 2 includes a concave region 7 mounted in the centre of the otherwise convex upper surface 2. Preferably, the concave region 7 is smaller in diameter than the upper surface 2.

Preferably, the bore is closer the midpoint of the lower surface than the midpoint of the concave region 7.

The fifth embodiment is shown in FIGS. 9 & 10 and is a general ovoid shape and includes the general features of the third embodiment.

The sixth embodiment shown and depicted in FIGS. 11 & 12, is similar to the third embodiment, but the distance between the lower surface 5 and the bore 3 has been increased to allow for rounding of the corners between the collar region 6 and the lower surface 5. It is important to note that the bore is closer to the midpoint of the lower surface 5 than the midpoint of the upper surface 2.

The seventh embodiment is depicted in FIGS. 13 & 14, and includes a generally square or rectangular shaped decorative device, when viewed from the top view. This seventh embodiment is similar to the fourth embodiments and includes a collared region 6 and a concave region 7. The concave region 7 has been modified to accommodate the generally square or rectangular shape of the overall design in this embodiment. The region 7 in this embodiment is better described as a recessed region.

FIG. 15 demonstrates and depicts the seventh and second embodiments of the present invention mounted or positioned on a shoe 151. Wherein the bore 3 of the decorative devices has received a shoe lace 154 and mounted or positioned above the upper contacting surface 153 of the shoe or the tongue of the shoe. The lower surface 5 is positioned against the shoe's upper contacting surface 153 to prevent rolling or dislodgment of the decorative device 1.

Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms, in keeping with the broad principles and the spirit of the invention described herein.

The present invention and the described preferred embodiments specifically include at least one feature that is industrial applicable.

Claims

1. A decorative device adapted for securing to a shoe lace attached to a shoe, wherein the device includes: a body selected from the following group shapes when viewed from a top view: ovoid, kidney bean, cigar, square, or circular;

wherein the device includes at least an upper surface joined a lower surface wherein the lower surface is relatively flat and adapted to engage an upper contacting surface of the shoe, when in use; and wherein the device includes a bore in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the device.

2. The decorative device of claim 1, wherein the bore includes a diameter of between 2 to 4 mm.

3. The decorative device of claim 1, wherein the bore is adapted to receive a shoe lace.

4. The decorative device of claim 1, wherein the bore is oriented in a direction parallel to the lower surface.

5. The decorative device of claim 1, wherein the bore is positioned closer to the midpoint of the lower surface than the midpoint of the upper surface.

6. The decorative device of claim 1, wherein the decorative device has a length less than 2 cm.

7. The decorative device of claim 1, wherein the decorative device has a width between 0.5 to 1 cm.

8. The decorative device of claim 1, wherein the upper surface is convex.

9. The decorative device of claim 8, wherein the upper surface includes a recessed portion.