Tennis Shoe Kit With Customizing Components

Abstract

A tennis shoe kit that includes a tennis shoe with a wide lower side, a tongue opening, a lower vamp, a hook or loop connector pad attached to the inside surface of the vamp, a plurality of eyelet holes formed on opposite sides of the tongue opening, at least two replaceable tongues each with a complementary hook and loop connector pad attached to its lower edge configured to connect to the hook or loop connector pad attached to the inside surface of the vamp, a set of manually attachable eyelets configured to be selectively attached to the eyelet holes, and at least two elastic bands with ornamental features printed or attached to its outer surface, each band is configured to extend entirely around the outside surface of the outsole of the tennis shoe.

Description

This utility patent application is based on and claims the filing date benefit of U.S. provisional patent application (Application No. 63/174,185) filed on Apr. 13, 2021.

The following patent document contains original material subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile or digital download reproduction of all or part of the patent document but otherwise reserves all copyrights.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to footwear and, more particularly, to tennis shoes with features that the wearer can customize.

2. Description of the Related Art

It is common for young individuals to customize their apparel visually. Ideally, the customizing changes they make should be temporarily so the apparel can return to its original appearance or be further customized. Also, the changes to the apparel should not affect or impact the apparel's comfort, durability, or functionality.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the visual parts of a tennis shoe, when worn, include the outsole, the heel counter, the upper section, the vamp, the tongue, eyelets, and the shoelaces. While different colored shoelaces may replace the shoelaces, the appearance of the outsole, the heel counter, the upper area, the vamp, the tongue, and the eyelets can not be altered.

What is needed is a tennis shoe kit with components that allow a user to selectively altered the appearance of the outsole, the heel counter, the upper area, the vamp, the tongue, and the eyelets.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A tennis shoe kit that includes a tennis shoe shell with a wide lower side tongue opening, a lower vamp, a hook or loop connector pad attached to the inside surface of the vamp, plurality of eyelet holes formed on opposite sides of the tongue opening, at least two replaceable tongues each with a complementary hook and loop connector pad attached to its lower edge configured to connect to the hook or loop connector pad attached to the inside surface of the vamp, a set of eyelets configured to be selectively attached to the eyelet holes, and at least two elastic bands with ornamental features printed or attached to its outer surface, each band is configured to extend entirely around the outside surface of the tennis shoe shell.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a tennis shoe found in the prior art.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the tennis show found in the prior art.

FIG. 3 is aside perspective view of a tennis shoe shell made with the tennis shoe kit disclosed herein.

FIG. 4 top plan view of the tennis shoe shell.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of two tongue members.

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of two sets of eyelets.

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of one eyelet shown in FIG. 6 inserted into the eyehole formed on the tennis shoe shell.

FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of two elastic bands

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of two sets of hook laces.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

A tennis shoe kit 6 that includes a tennis shoe shell 7 with wide lower outside 8, a tongue opening 9, a lower vamp 10, a plurality of eyelet holes 11 (see FIG. 9), and a hook or loop connector pad 12 attached to the inside surface of the vamp 10 near the lower edge of the tongue opening 9.

Kit 6 also includes at least two replaceable tongues 20, 20′ shown in FIG. 5, each with a complementary hook and loop connector pad 22 attached to its lower edge configured to connect to the hook or loop connector pad 12 attached to the inside surface of the vamp 10. The tongue 20, 20′ may be made of the same material as the vamp 10 and have different colors or surface features or textures creating a different visual appearance.

Kit 6 also includes at least two sets of eyelets 32, 32′ configured to be selectively attached to the eyelet holes 11 (shown in FIG. 2) formed around the lateral edges of the tongue opening 9. As shown more clearly in FIG. 7, each eyelet 32 or 32′ comprises a top cap 33 and a bottom insert member 37. A top cap 33 is a cylindrical body 34 with a center bore 35 and internal threads 36A. The cylindrical body 34 is approximately ⅛ inch in length and configured to extend through the eyelet holes formed on the tennis shoe shell 7. The bottom insert member 37 includes a cylindrical body 38 with a center bore 39. External threads 36B are formed on the cylindrical body 38 are configured to mesh with the internal threads 36A on the top cap 33. Top cap 33 and bottom insert member 37 may be replaced by a top cap and bottom insert member that manually snap together.

The kit 6 also includes at least two elastic bands 40, 40′ each with unique ornamental features printed or attached to its outer surface. Each band 40,40′, shown more clearly in FIG. 8, is configured to extend entirely around the outside surface of the outer sole 8. Attached to each band 40, 40′ are a plurality of hook and loop connector pads 42 configured to connect to complementary hook and loop pads 16 attached to the outside surface of the outer sole 8. The hook and loop pads 16 may also be included in kit 6 or provided separately by the user.

The kit 6 also includes at least one set of elastic shoelaces 50, 50′. Each shoelace 51, 51′ in each set of elastic shoelaces 50, 50′ includes an elastic band 53, 53′ with upward extending hooks 54, 54′, respectively, attached to its opposite ends. Each hook 54, 54′ extends upward and bends inward, enabling hook 54, 54′ to capture the eyelets 32, 32′ on opposite sides of the tongue opening. Elastic bands 53, 53′ in each set 50, 50′ may be the same color or different colors.

In compliance with the statute, the invention described has been described in language more or less specific as to structural features. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the particular features shown since the means and construction shown comprises the preferred embodiments for putting the invention into effect. The invention is therefore claimed in its forms or modifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the amended claims, appropriately interpreted under the doctrine of equivalents.

Claims

1. A tennis shoe kit, comprising:

a. a tennis shoe with a wide lower side, a tongue opening, a lower vamp, a hook or loop connector pad attached to the inside surface of the vamp, plurality of eyelet holes formed on opposite sides of the tongue opening,

b. at least two replaceable tongues each with a complementary hook and loop connector pad attached to its lower edge configured to connect to the hook or loop connector pad attached to the inside surface of the vamp,

c. a plurality of eyelets configured to be selectively attached to the eyelet holes, and,

d. at least two elastic bands with ornamental features printed or attached to its outer surface, each band is configured to extend completely around the outside surface of the tennis shoe.

2. The tennis shoe kit, as recited in claim 1, wherein said plurality of eyelets configured to insert into said eyelet holes, each said eyelets includes top cap and a cap configured to be manually connected together.

3. The tennis shoe kit, as recited in claim 2, wherein said top cap and cap includes threads that mesh together.

4. The tennis shoe kit as recited in claim 1, further including a set of elastic shoelaces configured to extend across said tongue opening and connect to eyelets holes formed on opposite sides of said tongue opening.

5. The tennis shoe kit, as recited in claim 4, further including hooks attached to the opposite ends of said each said elastic shoelace.

6. The tennis shoe kit as recited in claim 2, further including a set of elastic shoelaces configured to extend across said tongue opening and connect to eyelets holes formed on opposite sides of said tongue opening.

7. The tennis shoe kit, as recited in claim 6, further including hooks attached to the opposite ends of said each said elastic shoelace.

8. The tennis shoe kit as recited in claim 3, further including a set of elastic shoelaces configured to extend across said tongue opening and connect to eyelets holes formed on opposite sides of said tongue opening.

9. The tennis shoe kit, as recited in claim 8, further including hooks attached to the opposite ends of said each said elastic shoelace.