Rain Boot With Interchangeable Design Accessories

Abstract

The invention is a foot wear, which is preferably a rain boot, but may be any type of footwear, which is enhanced by removable decorative attachments, and further enhanced with pull handles that can be detached and connected together to form bracelets and other forms of body adornments. The footwear design and utility attachments may be further subdivided into segments that can be similarly altered.

Description

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application claims prior of a U.S. patent application Ser. No. 62/053,516 filed on Sep. 22, 2014, the contents of which are fully incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to footwear accessories, in particular to utility grab handle, also known as pull handles, used as assist in putting on footwear, along with a decorative attachment set to match the color or theme of such pull handle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Bad weather makes it especially difficult for parents with young children to get out house. Particularly in cold or wet weather it can be a chore to dress children in suitably warm clothing, and especially suitable footwear. Parents routinely struggle dressing their children in rain/snow boots, which requires cooperation and patience from the child.

On a rainy or snowy day parents typically dress their children in rain boots so that they stay dry and warm and also to prevent the child from slipping. However, it is common for children to reject the boots, often because they find the process of donning them disagreeable. Furthermore, rain boots generally come in bland colors and styles that are not appealing to children. Rains boots tend to be inconvenient to wear and it can be time consuming to put them on and remove them as there are typically no buttons, zippers, or laces to facilitate the process. Moreover, rain boots are stiff by nature and therefore difficult, or impossible, for children to put on by themselves.

The present invention is directed to boots that resolve these various drawbacks known in the art. In particular, the present mention is directed to a practical pull-up boot, including boot bodies composed of waterproof materials, boot bodies containing themed designs, boot bodies containing hooks/handles mounted on the external side of each boot and extending from the top of the throat or shaft of the boot with themed designs, and boot sole layers composed of antislip material. The term “boot body” as used herein refers to the portion of the boot above the sole and heel of the boot, and includes portions known as the vamp or instep, throat or shaft, heel counter.

This novel rain boot has designed handles that are attractive to children as well as parents. In one embodiment of the present invention, each pair of boots exhibits a design theme such that the handle of the boot matches the design theme of the boot body. Children are more likely to without a fuss wear boots that they can don themselves and that exhibit these special designs or familiar characters, and parents are more likely to be attracted to such boots when they are shopping. Rain boots with the designs and characters they are familiar with appeal to children. In one embodiment of the present invention the hooks/handles are removable and can function as bracelets for children, this to aspect making them more appealing to children

Further, the hooks/handles make it easier for children to put their boots on by themselves, enough perhaps to make the experience enjoyable for the child and one that the child looks forward to, thereby decreasing the time and stress associated with preparing a child for outdoor activity in cold or wet weather.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to boots for outer wear for use in inclement weather. The boot is specially designed to be attractive to children and to allow the child to don the boot him/herself It should be appreciated that the present invention can comprise hooks/handles that exhibit designs such as cartoon or other characters such as DISNEY® characters or so forth); animals such as cats, dogs, rabbits, bears, monkeys, butterflies, and birds; shapes such as hearts, stars, rainbows and flowers, or any other animated figures such as mermaids, and so forth. Further, the shape of the hook/handle itself can take on an ornamental or ornate shape and rather than a simple loop or the like. Likewise, the design theme on the boot body can match that of the hook/handle. Children are more likely to enjoy wearing the boots of the present invention and less likely to give their parents a hard time by refusing to put on their boots. The hooks/handles provide the added advantage that children who normally need their parents help to put their rain boots on are able to do so themselves by pulling on the decorated hooks/handles.

In a further embodiment, the hooks/handles are also removable so they can function as bracelets for children. Children like when accessories can function as a toy and are specifically attracted to toys that can transform and have multiple functions. The above description is considered that of certain embodiments of the present invention only. Modifications of the invention will occur to those skilled in the art and to those who make or use the invention. By way of example only, the features and principles of the present invention can be applied to any type of footwear (not just boots), such as shoes and the like, and potentially other types of clothing as well, including but not limited to trousers and shorts. As another example, the footwear that employs the concepts of the present invention need not be waterproof or designed to be worn in inclement weather, but can be readily incorporated into any kind of suitable footwear in accordance with the understanding of those in the art. As another example, the number of hooks/handles can vary. For example, a single handle/hook can extend from the throat/shaft of the boot. Alternatively, two, three, four or more handles can extend therefrom.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1a is prospective view of the present invention showing a footwear and grab handles,

FIG. 1b is an exploded view of grab handles being mounted to a sidewall near the topline.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a boot with one example of a themed pull handle.

FIG. 3 is an exploded side view of a boot with themed pull handles that are capable of forming a ring using, magnetic connectors. The flat sheet of material is shown as a decorative character and mounted to the quarter of the boot with Velcro® fasteners.

FIGS. 3a and 3b disclose individual examples of the footwear design attachment.

FIG. 4 is an exploded side view of a boot with themed pull handles that are capable of forming a ring using bayonet connectors, The flat sheet of material is shown as a decorative character and mounted to the quarter of the boot with snap fasteners.

FIGS. 4a and 4b demonstrate individual examples of the footwear design attachment.

FIG. 5 demonstrates an additional application of the pull handles in form of a bracelet.

FIG. 6 demonstrates an embodiment of the present invention, showing different decorative themes of the pull handle.

FIG. 7 demonstrates an embodiment of the present invention with different decorative themes of the pull handle.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Identical elements in the various figures are identified with the same reference numerals.

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiment of the present invention. Such embodiments are provided by way of explanation of the present invention, which is not intended to be limited thereto. In fact, those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate upon reading the present specification and viewing the present drawings that various modifications and variations can be made thereto.

Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, the figures illustrate an object of footwear 90, in particular a rubber boot for use in wet or cold weather. However, one skilled in the art would appreciate that the present invention may be practiced with equal efficacy in multiple of different footwear types.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a footwear 90 with foot entry opening 80 being visible, FIG. 1B is a close up of FIG. 1 with a focus on the topline 200 section of the footwear 90. Each rain boot 90 will have at least one grab handle 20 disposed on the inside surface 220 of the sidewall 70. Optimally, the grab handles 20 will be attached opposide and in parallel to each other, as shown. In this configuration, a user is able take hold of the middle point 50 of either grab handle 20, which would be located on either side of the user's foot, as the foot is entering the foot entry opening 80. Alternatively, a single grab handle 20 may be used, and it may be attached at any point along the sidewall 70, just below the topline 200. The preferred location of the grab handle 20 is just below topline 200. While the present invention focuses on a rain boot, the present invention is suitable for use with a multitude of other footwear types.

Preferably, each grab handle has at least two fastener receiving points 120. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the grab handle has either the male or the female portion of the snap fastener 192 placed at a point along the length 110 of the grab handle 20. The corresponding portion of the snap fastener is placed at a point 191, just below the topline 200, but may also be even with the topline 200. The corresponding portion of the snap fastener 191 is shown as mounted on the inner surface 220, facing the foot entry opening 80. Similarly, however, the corresponding snap fasteners 191 may be placed on the outside of the sidewall 70 and be facing away from the sidewall. To maximize the strength of the snap fastener, there are at least snap fasteners 192 placed substantially near the fastener receiving ends 120, with corresponding fastener portions 191 being placed opposite thereto. While a snap fastener is shown, any number of fasteners may be used. By way of example, and not in an attempt to limit the alternative embodiments, fasteners such as side squeeze and bayonet fasteners may be utilized at fastener receiving ends 120, with corresponding fastener portions (either male or female) residing along the topline 200 or at a point below the topline 200 such as location 191.

The fastener receiving ends 120 are covered in greater detail in further figures. In the embodiment shown the fastener receiving ends 120 differ from the snap fasteners used to removably couple the grab handles to the sidewall 70. The fastener receiving ends 120 may serve dual purpose. While attached to the footwear 90, the fastener receiving ends will be secured in the corresponding fastener locations along the topline 200. Once the grab handle is detached from the boot, the same fastener may be used to couple two grab handles together to form a bracelet, anklet or a necklace.

The length 110 measures the circumference of the arch between the opposing fastener receiving ends 120, which may also be represented as the first end 30 and the second end 40, which are of course interchangeable with first end 30 being interchangeably referred to as the second end 40. The length 110 may between two and a half and six inches, with diameter of the cross section represented by the thickness 60 being between a sixteenth of an inch and ¾ of an inch. The grab handle is shown in a substantially tubular embodiment throughout the length 110. Alternatively, the length may have edgy surfaces, forming a parallelogram. There may also be indentations for fingers below and around the midpoint 50.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the boot having the grab handle 20 formed in a shape of a snow flake. The grab handle 20 may be portrayed as a multitude of shapes and colors. It may be shown as a bent of over branch stem, with leaves all around. It may also take for of a bent over pencil for the first day of school, as a crescent, a star or as a dolphin leaping from water for summer days. The pull handle 20 provides the themed appearance as shown without losing its practical application as a pull handle. The fasteners are hidden on the inside of the topline 200. Also shown are the sidewall 70 of the foot wear 90.

FIG. 3 is an exploded demonstration of the combination of interchangeable design elements that are coupled with utilitarian elements. Shown are the grab handles 20, haying first end 30 and the second end 40. The first and second ends are points of reference and may be fully interchangeable. Mounted onto the grab handle 20, at a point along the length 110 (FIG. 1b) of the grab handle 20, is a removable design element 230. The removable design element is intended to increase the usage and appeal of footwear. The interchangeability of the design elements 230 makes the footwear 90 a much more flexible apparel choice, with the design elements 230 serving both as play items for smaller children and as mix and match items for older children and even adults. Presently footwear comes in colors and themes that cannot be altered without actually obtaining extra pairs of the same footwear. Instead, the essential style of footwear 90 can stay the same, with only the peripheral design elements changing to match the age, mood and clothing color choice of the wearer.

FIG. 3 shows the interchangeable footwear design attachment 300 that is substantially a flat section of material that depicts a design, a geometric object, a random shape or a figurine as shown. The flat section of material 300 may further be subdivided into a number of small removable sections. For example, in FIG. 3A the umbrella 260 may be removable, so that it can be replaced with strings leading to a bunch of balloons. Similarly, boots 262 may be replaced with feet in flip-flops. FIG. 3B is geared toward male youth. However, the concept is the same. The inner side 310 contains a fastener end 180 which corresponds to the fastener connector 170 present on the quarter 210 of the footwear 90, The outer side 320 is shown as a design element with some peripheral sections being removable. For example, the pirate ship 270 may be removed to emphasize the sword, or the sword may be replaced with a hook (not shown). In FIG. 3, the fastener connector is shown as Velcro®, but any connector may be used. The interchangeable footwear design attachment 300 may be made of one substantially flat segment of material or may have raised surfaces having various thicknesses. The flat segment of material may be made from rubber, resin, polymeric substances, wood, fabric or metal, or any combination thereof. Similarly, the grab handles 20 may be made from substantially elastic materials, such as plastics, resins and rubber. But may also be made from wood, stone, ivory or metal.

FIG. 4 presents a slightly different embodiment of the present invention than depicted in the previous figure. The detachable design element 230 is shown mounting to the grab handle 20 with pinch clips 235. Alternatively, magnets and screws may be used. The fastener receiving ends 120 are shown as bayonet fastener 125. The removable decorative elements 300 are shown connecting to fastener connectors 170 that are presented as snap fasteners. To accommodate multiple different removable design attachments 300 the quarter 210 of the footwear 90 may have additional fastener connectors 170 that may be unoccupied even while the removable design element 300 is mounted in place. The inner side 310 of the flat strip of material 300 preferably contains multiple corresponding fasteners 180 that match the Fastener connectors 170, for a smooth flush appearance with the rest of the sidewall 70. Even through the removable footwear design element 300 is mounted on the side of the footwear 90, it may be mounted on the front back, heel or tip of the footwear 90, although these embodiments are not shown.

The grab handle 20 disclosed in the present invention, may have additional benefits beside interchangeability. Once a grab handle 20 is removed, it may be combined with one other grab handle 130 of the same arch angle to form a bracelet, as shown in FIG. 5.

To form a bracelet the connector end 120 on the first end 30 connects to the connector end 120 of the second end 40 of the other grab handle 130. Similarly, the connector end 120 on the first point 30 of the other grab handle 130 connects to the second end 40 of the grab handle 20. In so doing the grab handles 20 and 130 form a bracelet as shown in the figure. The snap fasteners 190 remain in disuse while the grab handles are attached as bracelets. Alternatively, the connector ends may also serve as connectors to couple the grab handle 20 and 130 with the topline 200 (prior figs). The requirement of second end 40 connecting to first end 30 is preserve attracting polarities in a magnetic fastener receivers 120, or male/female configuration of mechanical fasteners, such as bayonet, clasp connectors and side squeeze connectors. By way of example, referring to FIG. 4, the bayonet male connector 125 is used to couple with a female connector. Each pull handle contains a male and a female connector. When the pull handles 20 are combined, each pull handle 20 represents one half of the ring with the male connectors being attached to the corresponding female connetors of the opposing pull handle 20. The grab handle 70 and 130 may form bracelets, anklets, necklaces and rings.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are a further demonstration of application interchangeably removable utility elements that are embodied in the grab handles 20. A footwear decoration kit may come with several different decorative footwear attachments 300, and a variety of grab handles 20 haying several different design themes 230. A wearer can then interchange them based on whim, costume, or clothing style and color. The fasteners 192 may be snap fasteners, clasp fasteners or Velcro® fasteners. In FIG. 7, the fasteners 192 are attached to the exterior of the sidewall 70 at the topline 200. The interchangeable decorative footwear attachment 300 may be provided separately from the interchangeable utility attachment grab handle 20, or it may be provided as a kit combination.

Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of illustration and that numerous changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An interchangeable footwear utility attachment comprising: at least one grab handle; said at least one grab handle having a first end, a second end and a middle point; said at least one grab handle having a thickness; wherein said grab handle removably attaching to a sidewall of a foot entry opening of a footwear along at least one point of a length of said at least one grab handle; and wherein said first end and said second end having a fastener receiving point.

2. The interchangeable footwear utility attachment of claim 1, wherein said fastener receiving point of one said at least one grab handle capable of coupling with one corresponding, fastener receiving point on additional of said at least one grab handle to form a ring.

3. The interchangeable footwear utility attachment of claim 1, wherein said grab handle is substantially tubular, and wherein said thickness of said gab handle being less than one half of an inch in diameter.

4. The interchangeable footwear utility attachment of claim 1, wherein said grab handle is made of an elastic material.

5. The interchangeable footwear utility attachment of claim wherein said at least one grab handle removably attaching to said sidewall of said foot entry opening of said footwear using a group comprising of a snap fastener, a side squeeze buckle, or a Velcro®.

6. The interchangeable footwear utility attachment of claim 1, wherein said first point of said at least one grab handle removably coupling with said second point, of said at least one other grab handle, and wherein said second point of said at least one grab handle removably coupling with said first point of said at least one other grab handle to form a ring using a coupling connection comprised of a magnetic fastener, a clasp fastener, a side-squeeze fastener or a bayonet fastener.

7. The interchangeable footwear utility attachment of claim 1, further comprising a removable design element, said design element removably attaching to a point along said length of said at least one grab handle.

8. An interchangeable footwear design attachment, comprising a sheet of material having an inner side and an outer side; wherein said inner side having fastener connectors, said fastener connectors having a corresponding fastener connectors on a sidewall of a footwear; and wherein said fastener connectors capable of removably securing said sheet of material to said sidewall.

9. The interchangeable footwear design attachment of claim 8, wherein said fastener connectors and said corresponding fastener connectors are comprised of a snap fastener, an adhesive fastener or a Velcro®.

10. The interchangeable footwear design attachment of claim 8, wherein said sheet of material being a material made from one of materials comprising a plastic sheet, a rubber sheet, a metal sheet, a leather sheet, a resinous sheet or a combination sheet of materials stated in this claim.

11. The interchangeable footwear design attachment of claim 8, wherein said sheet of material further comprises separate subsections.

12. In combination a footwear utility attachment with footwear design attachment comprising: at least one grab handle; said at least one grab handle having a first end, a second end and a middle point; said at least one grab handle having a thickness; wherein said grab handle removably attaching to a sidewall of a foot entry opening of a footwear along at least one point of a length of said at least one grab handle; wherein said first end and said second end having a fastener receiving point; and wherein said fastener receiving point of one said at least one grab handle capable of coupling with one corresponding fastener receiving point on additional of said at least one grab handle to form a ring.

13. The combination of claim 12, wherein said fastener receiving point of one said at least one grab handle capable of coupling with one corresponding fastener receiving point on additional of said at least one grab handle to form a ring.

14. The combination of claim 12; wherein said flat sheet of material having an inner side and an outer side; and wherein said inner side having fastener connectors, said fastener connectors having a corresponding fastener connectors on a sidewall of a footwear; and wherein said fastener connectors capable of removably securing said flat sheet of material to said sidewall.

15. The combination of claim 12, wherein said grab handle is substantially tubular, and wherein said thickness of said grab handle being less than one half of an inch in diameter.

16. The combination of claim 12, wherein said grab handle and said flat sheet of material is made of an elastic material.

17. The combination of claim 12, wherein said at least one grab handle removably attaching to said sidewall of said foot entry opening of said footwear using a group comprising of a snap fastener, a side squeeze buckle, or a Velcro®.

18. The combination of claim 12, wherein said first point of said at least one grab handle removably coupling with said second point of said at least one other grab handle, and wherein said second point of said at least one grab handle removably coupling with said first point, of said at least one other grab handle to form a ring using a coupling connection comprised of a magnetic fastener, as clasp fastener, a side-squeeze fastener or a bayonet fastener.

19. The combination of claim 12, further comprising, a removable design element, said design element removably attaching to point along said length of said at least one grab handle.

20. The combination of claim 12, wherein said flat sheet of material further comprises separate subsections.