Shoe Face Display

Abstract

A shoe display for a shoe having a pair of opposing guards, includes at least one track, wherein the track is disposed on at least one of the opposing guards and an interchangeable face member having at least one edge, the at least one edge maintained in a complementary manner in the at least one track such that the interchangeable face member slides in and out the at least one track.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to items which are displayed on shoes. Mart particularly, this invention relates to a shoe face display.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Shoes which are of the type pertaining to the instant invention relate to those having opposing guards (e.g., shoe lace guards) disposed adjacent a shoe tongue. Laced shoes incorporate shoelaces for securing the shoes to the wearer's feet. Laced shoes generally have a pair of opposing lace guards which can be drawn together by a shoelace threaded between shoelace eyelets formed thereon. The shoelace eyelets are generally formed as a row on each of the opposing lace guards with the shoelace eyelets oriented to form opposing pairs of shoelace eyelets. The opposing pairs of shoelace eyelets permit the shoelace to be threaded through the shoelace eyelets to join the opposing pairs of shoelace eyelets.

To permit the opposing lace guards to cooperate with the shoelace without causing discomfort to the user, and a tongue is formed on the shoe to separate the shoelaces from the interior of the shoe. One exemplary type of laced shoe for the instant invention are those for sneakers, running shoes and most other forms of athletic shoes.

Some of the prior art have devised various ways to display items on or about the shoe laces of shoes, such as with logos, designs, or other items for displaying information such as a number or other logo which may be desired. For example, a logo or number has been used on a substrate connected to part of the body of the shoe or about the shoe lace. Connection has been done through sewing, gluing, or rivets, to directly to a lace.

While these forms of displays are functional, they are not desirable for ease of use, comfort or retrofitting onto shoes due to lack of flexibility in their application. In some cases, there is a fixed member bearing a display may be provided with an aperture which permits the display to be attached to the shoe by passing the shoelace through the aperture of the member and then tying off the shoelace. This type of display member is typically limited in flexibility and comfort. An improved display for quick and easy attachment to a shoe which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art is therefore required.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object to improve a display device for a shoe.

It is a further object to provide a shoe face display.

Another object is to provide flexibility and comfort in a shoe having a shoe face display.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a shoe face display for a show having opposing guards about a tongue, which includes one or more slide track, the track is disposed on at least one of the opposing guards; and an interchangeable face member having at least one edge. The edge is maintained in a complementary manner in the at least one track such that the interchangeable face member slides in and out the at least one track.

The interchangeable face member has an indicia on a front face thereof. The interchangeable face member can be made of an elastic material. The interchangeable face member can includes a pair of respective elongated side members, each side member bound to an edge of the interchangeable face member and when so bound is slidably received in one of the opposing track.

The each track can include a U-shaped member having a pair of opposing arms and a base defining a mouth to receive about an edge of one of the opposing guards.

In another embodiment, there are provided a pair of panel members, each having a plurality of eyelets to receive lace therethrough and connected to one track and which can be connected about eyelets of the shoe by a lace threading them together. A pair of stretch materials interconnects one panel member and a respective track. One of said uppermost arms connects to the track which receives the edge of the interchangeable face member.

The shoe the shoe face display is to be used with is a standard laced shoe having a pair of opposing lace guards which are configured to be secured together by a shoelace threaded through a plurality of lace eyelets formed on the opposing lace guards. The shoe face display is dimensioned to permit the shoe face display to be attached between the opposing lace guards by threading the shoelace through the lace eyelets. The shoe face display is further dimensioned to fit between the lace eyelets of the opposing lace guards.

With the foregoing in view, and other advantages as will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention relates as this specification proceeds, the invention is herein described by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, which includes a description of the preferred typical embodiment of the principles of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a shoe face display in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of a shoe with the shoe face display thereon in accordance with the present invention with the laces below the face display as represented in hidden lines.

FIG. 3 is a cross section taken along line A-A of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of another embodiment of shoe face display with components shown displaced in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a top view of a shoe with the shoe face display of FIG. 4 thereon in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a cross section taken along line B-B of FIG. 4.

In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures.

FIG. 7 depicts components of the shoe face display of FIG. 4 on a shoe.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings, a shoe face display made in accordance with embodiments the present invention is generally referred to with the numeral 10. The shoe face display 10 is for connection to laced shoes 12 which have a pair of opposing lace guards 14 which can be drawn together by a shoelace 13 threaded between shoelace eyelets 16 formed thereon. The shoelace eyelets 16 are generally formed as a row on each of the opposing lace guards 14 with the shoelace eyelets 16 oriented to form opposing pairs of shoelace eyelets 16. The opposing pairs of shoelace eyelets 16 permit the shoelace 13 to be threaded through the shoelace eyelets 16 to join the opposing pairs of shoelace eyelets 16.

In one embodiment as seen in FIGS. 1-3, the shoe face display 10 includes a pair of tracks 20A and 20B, wherein each track 20A and 20B is connected to a respective stretch material 22A and 22B, which can be an elastic or stretch fabric material, for example, connected to a respective side 24A and 24B of track 20A and 20B.

On another side 26A and 26B of the respective stretch material 22A and 22B is connected a respective panel member 28A and 28B having a plurality of eyelets 30A and 30B, respectively, to receive lace(s) 32 therethrough. An interchangeable face member 34 has an indicia 36 on a front face 38, which can be a unique player number or other symbol or letter. The interchangeable face member 34 has edges 40A and 40B to be maintained in a complementary manner in respective opposing tracks 20A and 20B such that the interchangeable face member 34 slides in and out thereof. The interchangeable face member 34 is assembled after the lacing of the panel members 28A and 28B. The elastic stretch material provides for flexibility and a comfortable fit.

In another embodiment as seen in FIGS. 4-7, the shoe face display 10 includes a pair of tracks 50A and 50B which are connected (preferably integrally) to U-shaped bracket members 52A and 52B, respectively. As seen in FIG. 5, the U-shaped bracket members 52A and 52B are disposed about the eyelets 16 having arms 56A, 56B and 57A, 57B with uppermost arm 56A and 57A being outwardly disposed with respect to the shoe 12 and connected to track 50A and 50B, respectively. Here, the U-shaped bracket members 52A and 52B each have the respective arms 56A, 56B and 57A and 57B with a connecting base 59 and 60 to define a mouth to receive about an edge of one of the opposing guards 14. The arms 56A, 56B and 57A and 57B are shown to include openings 61 and 63, which are here shown by way of example, coaxially aligned and it is contemplated that the number of openings and placement can vary.

Interchangeable face member 58 can include an indicia 65 on a front face 62 which likewise can be a unique player number or other symbol or letter. The interchangeable face member 58 has formed edges 66A and 66B to be maintained in a complementary manner in respective opposing tracks 50A and 50B such that the interchangeable face member 58 slides in and out thereof. It is envisioned that the interchangeable face member 58 can be made of a material, such as a fabric which can preferably be stretch material, and which is bound on an elongated member 68A and 68B. In this regard the elongated member 68A and 68B can include a lengthwise groove to receive an edge of the stretch material and at least partially wrapped in a manner to provide the stretch material held or bound to the member 68A, 68B. Other forms of attachment are contemplated, such as by adhesive or mechanical means. The elongated members 68A and 68B can be fed or slid into the tracks 50A and 50B in order to maintain the shoe face display 10 across a face of the shoe 12.

Interchangeable face member 34/58 is shown as substantially rectangular, but other geometric configurations are contemplated such as square, polygonal or continuous or partially curved perimeter. Interchangeable face member 34/58 can preferably be of flexible or stretchable material to lend comfort to the wearer. However, it is contemplated that other materials, which may be less flexible or comfortable. It is further contemplated that the invention can optionally integrate into the shoe 12 the tracks, 20 or 50 for example, or a similar structure to enable the sliding receipt of interchangeable face member 34/58.

Shoelace eyelets 16 may be any type of structure configured to attach to a shoelace 13. In the shoe illustrated, shoelace passages 16 can take the form of grommets attached to shoe 12 or may be stitched areas of the material, hooks, loops, or any other type of structure which has an opening or passage configured to permit a shoelace 13 to pass there through. Grommets or the like can preferably made of a strong and rigid material such as brass, aluminum, steel or plastic.

Interchangeable plate 34/58 can preferably be made of a material which enables the edges thereof to be slidable received into tracks 20A and 20B or 50A and 50B. Interchangeable plate 34/58 has a length L defined as a length approximate that of a length eyelets 16 span the lace guards 14 and a width W proximate between the eyelets 16. interchangeable plate 34/58 is dimensioned such that when attached to shoe 12 as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 5, the interchangeable plate 34/58 extends substantially uniformly across a face of the shoe 12.

By providing a shoe face display 10 as specified above, there is provided a unique and comfortable display for indicia which is readily interchangeable. The interchangeable face member 34/58 provides a desired flexibility about a tongue of the shoe 12 as well as to provide enhanced support for one's arches through addition support provided in the bias guards 14 toward one another. While the tracks 20A and 20B or 50A and 50B and respective interchangeable plate 34/58 are shown as extending a length of the eyelets 16, it is contemplated that the length in which these extend can be shorter and disposed in a manner to easily facilitate the tying of shoe laces 13.

While an embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed, variations, modifications and derivations of the disclosed embodiment could be envisioned as within the scope of this invention. It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A shoe display for a shoe having a pair of opposing guards, which includes:

at least one track, wherein said track is disposed on at least one of the opposing guards; and

an interchangeable face member having at least one edge, said at least one edge maintained in a complementary manner in said at least one said track such that said interchangeable face member slides in and out said at least one track.

2. The shoe display of claim 1, wherein said interchangeable face member has an indicia on a front face thereof.

3. The shoe display of claim 1, wherein said interchangeable face member is made of an elastic material.

4. The shoe display of claim 1, wherein said interchangeable face member includes a at least one elongated side member, said at least one side member bound to at least one edge of said interchangeable face member and when so bound is slidable received in said at least one one track.

5. The shoe display of claim 1, wherein said each track includes a U-shaped member having a pair of opposing arms and a base defining a mouth to receive about an edge of one of the opposing guard.

6. The shoe display of claim 1, which includes at least one panel member, said at least one panel member having a plurality of eyelets to receive lace therethrough and connected to said at least one track and which can be connected about eyelets of the shoe by a lace threading them together.

7. The shoe display of claim 6, which includes at least one stretch material interconnecting said at least one said panel member and a respective at least one track.

8. The shoe display of claim 5, which includes at least one of said arms being outwardly disposed with respect to the shoe when disposed thereon and connected to said at least one track.

9. The shoe display of claim 8, wherein includes U-shaped bracket members and are disposed about eyelets of the shoe.