Detachable adornment for footwear
The utility model relates to the elements for footwear decoration. A detachable shoe adornment comprises a decorative element (1) and an attachment element in the form of at least one flexible tongue (2) which is either an immediate extension of the decorative element or is connected with the decorative element at one end. Flexible tongue or tongues are affixed securely onto the inner surface of the shoe in a manner that the tongue is hidden inside the shoe while the decorative element remains outside. Flexible tongues are made of thin fabric, natural or artificial leather or silicone. A securing element in the form of a layer of adhesive material, a magnet, or a hook is arranged at the surface of the tongue directly in contact with the shoe surface. The tongue can also be in the form of a loop made of a thin elastic ribbon, which is put around the metatarsophalangeal area or the toes of the user's foot before the shoes are put on.
The present utility model relates to the field of human needs, particularly, to articles of decorative adornment for shoes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThere exist numerous detachable shoe adornments in the prior art constructed as decorative elements furnished with clips made of metal or other material [1]. Generally, these adornments are designed to be attached to the edge of the shoe. Shoe adornments constructed in such a manner have numerous disadvantages, particularly: metallic or non-metallic clips used to affix the said adornments onto the shoe not only fail to protect the user's feet but cause significant discomfort. Moreover, such clips are not secure, these may damage shoes and have limited life if used repeatedly.
Said ornaments often chafe the user's feet, especially when attached to the heel area or along the frontline. This issue can be somewhat mitigated by wearing protective local covers or hosiery.
However, these options are often not satisfactory or not preferable, because 1) local covers (bandages) are unattractive and cover only a small portion of the troubled area, 2) women do not want to wear socks, hosiery or stockings in hot weather or with pants, 3) light socks, hosiery or stockings do not provide sufficient protection and are easily damaged, etc.
Another known detachable shoe adornment is constructed in the form of a flexible band furnished with attachment members and a multiplicity of teeth on the outer surface designed to hold decorative elements [2].
This solution has several disadvantages. Particularly, attachment members spaced along the edge of the band cause unevenness, when bent and pressed along the edge of the shoe; the construction is complex and costly; attachment mechanism is laborious; and, if used repeatedly, the attachment members may break.
Another known detachable shoe adornment [3] comprises a decorative element with a plurality of fasteners operably affixed to the decorative element and adapted to removable affix the decorative element directly to the edges of the shoe. The decorative element may comprise a decorative panel with multiple fasteners on the back.
Said detachable adornment also has several disadvantages as the construction of attachment members is complex and costly in terms of materials consumed. Additionally, multiple fasteners make the edges of the shoe uneven and may cause discomfort to the user.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present utility model provides a cost-effective and simple in construction and application solution for a detachable shoe adornment, that can be used with virtually any shoes and for an unlimited number of times and such that, in some cases, can protect certain areas of user's foot.
In general embodiment, the detachable shoe adornment comprises a decorative element and an attachment element in the form of a flexible tongue or multiple tongues, that are either the immediate extension of the decorative element or are attached thereto, wherein said tongue or tongues are inserted into the shoe, then attached securely onto the inner surface of the shoe by means of a securing element located at the surface of the tongue in contact with the shoe surface, so that the tongue or tongues remain hidden inside the shoe while the decorative element remains outside.
In the general embodiment, flexible tongues are made of thin fabric, natural or artificial leather or silicone.
In accordance with one embodiment, the securing element on the tongue is a layer of an adhesive material.
I accordance with another embodiment, the securing element on the tongue is a fine plate or coating of magnet or magnetic metal.
For another embodiment, the securing element is a hook.
For another embodiment, the tongue is in the form of a loop.
Presented detachable shoe adornment can alter and enhance the appearance of the user's shoes and overall attire, whereas buying shoes with permanent distinguishing ornamentation might not be prudent since these can be worn only with a matching outfit and/or for special occasions.
Construction and attachment method of the described detachable shoe adornment allows the manufacturing of detachable shoe adornments that can be easily attached to any shoe to give it a novel and fashionable appearance without permanently altering or damaging the initial appearance of the shoe.
Additionally, the described detachable shoe adornment construction and attachment method thereof serves as an alternative protective layer when attached to the problematic front and back areas of the shoe, when rough edges of the shoe rub against the skin.
Below figures illustrate various embodiments of the present utility model.
The detachable shoe adornment in accordance with the present utility model comprises a decorative element (1) and an attachment element in the form of a flexible tongue or multiple tongues (2) that are either the immediate extension of the decorative element or are attached thereto at the end. Said tongue or tongues (2) are inserted into the shoe (3), then affixed securely onto the inner surface of the upper of the shoe (in the front, side, or back) so that the tongue or tongues (2) are hidden inside the shoe (3) while the decorative element (1) remains visible. Flexible tongues (2) are made of thin fabric, natural or artificial leather or silicone.
The size, shape, and number of tongue s (2) depend on the size, shape, and weight of the decorative element (1), as well as the size and shape of the shoe (3) and the intended emplacement of the adornment.
When the shoe is put on with the tongue or tongues (2) of the adornment inserted into the shoe (3) the adornment is fixed, however, to secure the adornment in place the tongue or tongues are further affixed onto the inner surface of the upper of the shoe (3) by means of securing element (4) affixed at the surface of the tongue or tongues (2). Said securing element can be in the form of a layer of double-sided adhesive material in rectangular, round or any other shape. Tongue or tongues can be secured inside the shoe using other attachment means. As one alternative, one can attach a loop (6) made of highly flexible material onto the inner surface of the upper of the shoe (5) to be coupled with a corresponding hook (7) affixed on the tongue. As another alternative, the tongue (2) can be made in the form of a loop (8), which is secured around the user's foot. As another alternative, a magnet (9) is affixed at the back of the decorative element, while a fine layer of magnet or magnetic metal (10) is attached to the tongue (2) so that these two elements attract one another after the tongue is inserted into the shoe.
For one preferred embodiment, which is illustrated in
Detachable shoe adornment in
Following the general logic of attachment illustrated in
In accordance with another embodiment of the present utility model, the tongue (2) is executed in the form of a loop (8) made of a soft elastic ribbon. For one such embodiment, as illustrated in
In accordance with another embodiment of the present utility model, the detachable shoe adornment is equipped with magnetic securing elements. Particularly, according to one such embodiment illustrated in
As described, depending on the size, shape, and weight of the decorative element (1), the decorative adornment may have one or multiple tongues (2).
For one such embodiment of the present utility model illustrated in
In addition to decorating the shoes, certain embodiments of a detachable shoe adornment provided herein may serve as a protective cover when attached to the problematic front and heel areas of the shoe.
One such embodiment is illustrated in
Another embodiment of the present utility model is illustrated in
- 1. http://www.pinterest.com/explore/shoe-clip/
- 2. U.S. Pat. No. 9,474,329
- 3. US patent US20130025164 (closest substitute)
Claims
1. A detachable shoe adornment comprising a decorative element and an attachment element in the form of at least one flexible tongue which is either an immediate extension of the decorative element or is connected with the decorative element, and which is to be inserted into the shoe, then affixed securely onto the inner surface of the shoe by means of a securing element at the surface of the tongue in contact with the surface of the shoe, in a manner that the tongue is hidden inside the shoe while the decorative element remains outside.
2. A detachable shoe adornment of claim 1, wherein the flexible tongue is made of thin fabric, natural or artificial leather or silicone.
3. A detachable shoe adornment of claim 1, wherein the securing element on the tongue is in the form of a layer of adhesive material.
4. A detachable shoe adornment of claim 1, wherein the securing element on the tongue is in the form of a fine plate or coating of magnet or magnetic metal.
5. A detachable shoe adornment of claim 1, wherein the securing element on the tongue is a hook.
6. (canceled)
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 10, 2018
Publication Date: Jul 9, 2020
Inventor: Karine Gharagyozyan (Yerevan)
Application Number: 16/641,648