U.S. patent application number 10/753700 was filed with the patent office on 2005-07-14 for hang tabs for footwear.
Invention is credited to Steidle, William.
Application Number | 20050150137 10/753700 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34739247 |
Filed Date | 2005-07-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050150137 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Steidle, William |
July 14, 2005 |
Hang tabs for footwear
Abstract
Footwear having plastic or rubber soles and having molded
protruding hang tabs from the soles for use in the pairing of
footwear together. Each sole having a plurality of protruding hang
tabs molded at spaced-apart positions along a perimeter edging of
the sole. The plurality of hang tabs includes a first hang tab
positioned on the toe end of the sole, a second hang tab positioned
on the heel end of the sole, a third hang tab positioned on the
inside section of the sole, and/or a fourth hang tab positioned on
the outside section of the sole. One or more of the hang tabs have
plastic fasteners and the like attached thereto for connecting a
pair of the soles together. The hang tabs are being removable from
the soles after purchase by cutting off each hang tab from the
perimeter edging of the sole.
Inventors: |
Steidle, William; (New York,
NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
EZRA SUTTON, PA
PLAZA 9
900 ROUTE 9
WOODBRIDGE
NJ
07095
US
|
Family ID: |
34739247 |
Appl. No.: |
10/753700 |
Filed: |
January 8, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/136 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47F 5/0006 20130101;
A43C 11/00 20130101; A47G 25/005 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
036/136 |
International
Class: |
A43B 001/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. Footwear having plastic or rubber soles and having protruding
hang tabs from the soles for use in the pairing of the footwear
together, comprising: a) each sole having a plurality of protruding
hang tabs connected at spaced-apart positions along a perimeter
edging of said sole; b) said plurality of hang tabs including a
first hang tab positioned on the toe end of said sole, a second
hang tab positioned on the heel end of said sole, a third hang tab
positioned on the inside section of said sole, and a fourth hang
tab positioned on the outside section of said sole; c) one or more
of said hang tabs having fastening means attached thereto for
connecting a pair of said soles; and d) said hang tabs being
removable from said soles after purchase of the footwear.
2. Footwear protruding hang tabs in accordance with claim 1,
wherein each hang tab is a geometric-shaped hang tab.
3. Footwear protruding hang tabs in accordance with claim 2,
wherein said geometric-shaped hang tab is selected from a group
consisting of a rectangular shape, a triangular shape, a
semi-circular shape and a semi-oval shape.
4. Footwear protruding hang tabs in accordance with claim 1,
wherein each of said hang tabs is in the same horizontal plane as
said sole.
5. Footwear protruding hang tabs in accordance with claim 1,
wherein each of said hang tabs is removed from said sole by
cutting-off of said hang tabs at said perimeter edging of said sole
after purchase.
6. Footwear protruding hang tabs in accordance with claim 1,
wherein said fastening means are selected from a group consisting
of swiftach fasteners, tie and tag fasteners, plastic tie fasteners
and staples.
7. Footwear having plastic or rubber soles and having protruding
hang tabs from the soles for use in the pairing of the footwear
together, comprising: a) each sole having a pair of protruding hang
tabs connected at spaced-apart positions along a perimeter edging
of said sole; b) said pair of hang tabs including a first hang tab
positioned on the toe end of said sole and a second hang tab
positioned on the heel end of said sole; c) one or more of said
hang tabs having fastening means attached thereto for connecting a
pair of said soles; and d) said hang tabs being removable from said
soles after purchase of the footwear.
8. Footwear protruding hang tabs in accordance with claim 7,
wherein each hang tab is a geometric-shaped hang tab.
9. Footwear protruding hang tabs in accordance with claim 7,
wherein each of said hang tabs is in the same horizontal plane as
said sole.
10. Footwear protruding hang tabs in accordance with claim 7,
wherein each of said hang tabs is removed from said sole by
cutting-off of said hang tabs at said perimeter edging of said sole
after purchase.
11. Footwear protruding hang tabs in accordance with claim 7,
wherein said fastening means are selected from a group consisting
of swiftach fasteners, tie and tag fasteners, plastic tie fasteners
and staples.
12. Footwear having plastic or rubber soles and having protruding
hang tabs from the soles for use in the pairing of the footwear
together, comprising: a) each sole having a pair of protruding hang
tabs connected at spaced-apart positions along a perimeter edging
of said sole; b) said pair of hang tabs including a first hang tab
positioned on the inside section of said sole, and a second hang
tab positioned on the outside section of said sole; c) one or more
of said hang tabs having fastening means attached thereto for
connecting a pair of said soles; and d) said hang tabs being
removable from said soles after purchase of the footwear.
13. Footwear protruding hang tabs in accordance with claim 12,
wherein each hang tab is a geometric-shaped hang tab.
14. Footwear protruding hang tabs in accordance with claim 12,
wherein each of said hang tabs is in the same horizontal plane as
said sole.
15. Footwear protruding hang tabs in accordance with claim 12,
wherein each of said hang tabs is removed from said sole by
cutting-off of said hang tabs at said perimeter edging of said sole
after purchase.
16. Footwear protruding hang tabs in accordance with claim 12,
wherein said fastening means are selected from a group consisting
of swiftach fasteners, tie and tag fasteners, plastic tie fasteners
and staples.
17. Footwear having plastic or rubber soles and having protruding
hang tabs from the soles for use in the pairing of the footwear
together, comprising: a) each sole having a pair of protruding hang
tabs connected at spaced-apart positions along a perimeter edging
of said sole; b) said pair of hang tabs including a first hang tab
positioned on the toe end of said sole, and a second hang tab
positioned on the inside section of said sole; c) each of said hang
tabs having fastening means attached thereto for connecting a pair
of said soles; and d) said hang tabs being removable from said
soles after purchase of the footwear.
18. Footwear protruding hang tabs in accordance with claim 17,
wherein each hang tab is a geometric-shaped hang tab.
19. Footwear protruding hang tabs in accordance with claim 17,
wherein each of said hang tabs is in the same horizontal plane as
said sole.
20. Footwear protruding hang tabs in accordance with claim 17,
wherein each of said hang tabs is removed from said sole by
cutting-off of said hang tabs at said perimeter edging of said sole
after purchase.
21. Footwear protruding hang tabs in accordance with claim 17,
wherein said fastening means are selected from a group consisting
of swiftach fasteners, tie and tag fasteners, plastic tie fasteners
and staples.
22. Footwear having plastic or rubber soles and having protruding
hang tabs from the soles for use in the pairing of the footwear
together, comprising: a) each sole having a pair of protruding hang
tabs connected at spaced-apart positions along a perimeter edging
of said sole; b) said pair of hang tabs including a first hang tab
positioned on the heel end of said sole, and a second hang tab
positioned on the outside section of said sole; c) one or more of
said hang tabs having fastening means attached thereto for
connecting a pair of said soles; and d) said hang tabs being
removable from said soles after purchase of the footwear.
23. Footwear protruding hang tabs in accordance with claim 22,
wherein each hang tab is a geometric-shaped hang tab.
24. Footwear protruding hang tabs in accordance with claim 22,
wherein each of said hang tabs is in the same horizontal plane as
said sole.
25. Footwear protruding hang tabs in accordance with claim 22,
wherein each of said hang tabs is removed from said sole by
cutting-off of said hang tabs at said perimeter edging of said sole
after purchase.
26. Footwear protruding hang tabs in accordance with claim 22,
wherein said fastening means are selected from a group consisting
of swiftach fasteners, tie and tag fasteners, plastic tie fasteners
and staples.
27. Footwear having plastic or rubber soles and having protruding
hang tabs from the soles for use in the pairing of the footwear
together, comprising: a) each sole having a protruding hang tab
connected at a single position along a perimeter edging of said
sole; b) said single hang tab having a first hang tab positioned on
the toe end of said sole; c) said hang tab having fastening means
attached thereto for connecting a pair of said soles; and d) said
hang tabs being removable from said soles after purchase of the
footwear.
28. Footwear protruding hang tabs in accordance with claim 27,
wherein each hang tab is a geometric-shaped hang tab.
29. Footwear protruding hang tabs in accordance with claim 27,
wherein each of said hang tabs is in the same horizontal plane as
said sole.
30. Footwear protruding hang tabs in accordance with claim 27,
wherein each of said hang tabs is removed from said sole by
cutting-off of said hang tabs at said perimeter edging of said sole
after purchase.
31. Footwear protruding hang tabs in accordance with claim 27,
wherein said fastening means are selected from a group consisting
of swiftach fasteners, tie and tag fasteners, plastic tie fasteners
and staples.
32. Footwear having plastic or rubber soles and having protruding
hang tabs from the soles for use in the pairing of the footwear
together, comprising: a) each sole having a protruding hang tab
connected at a single position along a perimeter edging of said
sole; b) said single of hang tab having a first hang tab positioned
on the heel end of said sole; c) said hang tab having fastening
means attached thereto for connecting a pair of said soles; and d)
said hang tabs being removable from said soles after purchase of
the footwear.
33. Footwear protruding hang tabs in accordance with claim 32,
wherein each hang tab is a geometric-shaped hang tab.
34. Footwear protruding hang tabs in accordance with claim 32,
wherein each of said hang tabs is in the same horizontal plane as
said sole.
35. Footwear protruding hang tabs in accordance with claim 32,
wherein each of said hang tabs is removed from said sole by
cutting-off of said hang tabs at said perimeter edging of said sole
after purchase.
36. Footwear protruding hang tabs in accordance with claim 32,
wherein said fastening means are selected from a group consisting
of swiftach fasteners, tie and tag fasteners, plastic tie fasteners
and staples.
37. Footwear having plastic or rubber soles and having protruding
hang tabs from the soles for use in the pairing of the footwear
together, comprising: a) each sole having a protruding hang tab
connected at a single position along a perimeter edging of said
sole; b) said single hang tab having a first hang tab positioned on
the inside section of said sole; c) said hang tab having fastening
means attached thereto for connecting a pair of said soles; and d)
said hang tabs being removable from said soles after purchase of
the footwear.
38. Footwear protruding hang tabs in accordance with claim 37,
wherein each hang tab is a geometric-shaped hang tab.
39. Footwear protruding hang tabs in accordance with claim 37,
wherein each of said hang tabs is in the same horizontal plane as
said sole.
40. Footwear protruding hang tabs in accordance with claim 37,
wherein each of said hang tabs is removed from said sole by
cutting-off of said hang tabs at said perimeter edging of said sole
after purchase.
41. Footwear protruding hang tabs in accordance with claim 37,
wherein said fastening means are selected from a group consisting
of swiftach fasteners, tie and tag fasteners, plastic tie fasteners
and staples.
42. Footwear having plastic or rubber soles and having protruding
hang tabs from the soles for use in the pairing of the footwear
together, comprising: a) each sole having a protruding hang tab
connected at a single position along a perimeter edging of said
sole; b) said single hang tab having a first hang tab positioned on
the outside section of said sole; c) said hang tab having fastening
means attached thereto for connecting a pair of said soles; and d)
said hang tabs being removable from said soles after purchase of
the footwear.
43. Footwear protruding hang tabs in accordance with claim 42,
wherein each hang tab is a geometric-shaped hang tab.
44. Footwear protruding hang tabs in accordance with claim 42,
wherein each of said hang tabs is in the same horizontal plane as
said sole.
45. Footwear protruding hang tabs in accordance with claim 42,
wherein each of said hang tabs is removed from said sole by
cutting-off of said hang tabs at said perimeter edging of said sole
after purchase.
46. Footwear protruding hang tabs in accordance with claim 42,
wherein said fastening means are selected from a group consisting
of swiftach fasteners, tie and tag fasteners, plastic tie fasteners
and staples.
Description
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to footwear having molded
plastic or rubber soles having hang tabs thereon. More
particularly, the molded plastic or rubber soles have integrally
protruding tabs at various positions on each sole for receiving
fasteners or hangers for either connecting or hanging the footwear
or slippers together, or for attaching price tags to the protruding
hanging tabs. The hanging tabs are cut off after the purchase of
the footwear by the consumer.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Fastening systems for attaching together mated pairs of
shoes, boots, slippers, laceless sneakers, etc. offered for sale
are well known in the art. In the mass merchandising of relatively
inexpensive shoes by self-service department stores, discount
stores, factory outlets, and the like, it is common practice to
fasten the mated shoes of a pair together, to prevent their
separation and possible mismatching. The price tag is usually
attached at the same time. This is customarily done by means of a
thin strong plastic filament about 8 or 10 inches long having
locking means for joining the ends together. In the case of shoes
having straps or buckles or eyelets for shoe laces or vents or the
like, there is no problem fastening the shoes together because the
locking filament may easily be inserted through one of the
available apertures on each of the shoes. The filament is passed
through a hole in the price tag and the ends are locked together.
Some shoes, however, do not have any available aperture or eyelet.
It has been the practice to pierce the side of the shoe in order to
thread the connecting filament through it. This leaves an
undesirable and unsightly blemish or mark after the filament is cut
and removed, after purchase of the shoes, boots, slippers, etc.
have been made.
[0003] There remains a need for protruding hanging tabs on
footwear, laceless sneakers or slippers having molded plastic or
rubber soles, wherein the integrally protruding hanging tabs on the
molded plastic or rubber soles are used for receiving fasteners or
hanging display cards thereon. Additionally, the protruding hanging
tabs are used for either connecting or hanging the footwear or
slippers together, or for attaching price tags to the protruding
hanging tabs.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
[0004] Fastening systems, shoe interconnecting means, shoe fastener
devices for the pairing of shoes together and the like having
various designs, configurations, structures and materials of
construction have been disclosed in the prior art. For example,
U.S. Pat. No. 3,482,335 to ORNSTEEN discloses an elongated tab
affixed to a shoe and adapted to be connected to a like tab on
another shoe of a pair to securely fasten the shoes together. The
tabs may be interconnected by staples, snap fasteners or other
suitable means. The free ends of the tabs or the connected tabs on
a pair of shoes are adapted to also be connected to a price tag or
advertising information. This prior art patent does not disclose or
teach the design, configuration or structure of the protruding hang
tabs for footwear of the present invention.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 4,624,060 to MAXWELL discloses shoes with a
fastening tab inside the shoe. The tab comprises a length of narrow
strong sheet material having a hole or loop at one end for
receiving a fastening filament. The fastening tab is folded and
disposed with one portion having the hole or loop at its end
extending vertically up from the sole along the inside wall of the
inner portion of the shoe but not attached to the shoe wall. The
other portion of the fastening tab is secured by means of strong
adhesive, stitching, staples, or all three, to the bottom sole of
the shoe and the inner sole applied on top of the adhered portion
of the fastening tab. The shoes are fastened together by passing a
filamentary connector, preferably a locking plastic fastener,
through the hole or loop in each of the fastening tabs and through
the price tag before joining the ends together in a closed loop.
This prior art patent does not disclose or teach the design,
configuration or structure of the protruding hang tabs for footwear
of the present invention.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 6,003,212 to IMAHATA discloses a fastener for
a pair of shoes for releasably coupling at least one pair of shoes
together. The fastener includes a male portion and a female portion
that are releasably connected. The male portion has a neck member
outwardly extending from the front face thereof and a bulbous end
portion extending from the next member. The female portion has an
aperture extending through its top and bottom faces and a pair of
axial breaks providing an opening through the front face of the
female portion of the aperture. The end and neck members of the
male portion are slidably insertable in the groove of the female
portion. The male portion is coupled to an inner side of a shoe.
The female portion is coupled to an inner side of another shoe.
This is accomplished by stitching using a strong thread or similar
material. This prior art patent does not disclose or teach the
design, configuration or structure of the protruding hang tabs for
footwear of the present invention.
[0007] None of these prior art patents teach or disclose the
structure of a plastic or rubber sole of a shoe, a slipper and the
like incorporating a protruding hang tab on the toe end section,
heel end section, in-step section and/or arch section of the sole
as shown in the present invention. The prior art patents include
side connector tabs that are glued, stitched, or stapled to the
sole of the footwear but are not molded to the sole of the
footwear.
[0008] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to
provide protruding hang tabs for footwear having molded plastic or
rubber soles thereon, wherein the integrally attached protruding
hang tabs on the molded plastic or rubber soles are used for
receiving fasteners or hangers and/or display cards thereon.
[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide
protruding hang tabs for footwear that are used for either
connecting or hanging the paired footwear or slippers together, or
for attaching price tags to the protruding hang tabs.
[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide
protruding hang tabs for footwear that are easily cut-off and
removed from the sole of the footwear or slipper after the
completion of the sale by the consumer leaving little or no visible
remnant in the separated footwear or slippers.
[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide
protruding hang tabs which are of durable and reliable construction
for the easy addition of swiftach fasteners, tie and tag fasteners
and/or chip display cards to the protruding hang tabs according to
the display needs of the consumer, store or manufacturer.
[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide
protruding hang tabs for releasably pairing of at least one pair of
shoes, slippers, etc. together in a side by side configuration or
in a back to back configuration.
[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide
protruding hang tabs that help to keep the footwear organized by
permitting two or more paired footwear to be coupled together on a
single display card.
[0014] Another object of the present invention is to provide
protruding hang tabs that have geometrically-shaped designs such as
a semi-circular shape, a rectangular-shape, a triangular-shape, or
an oval-shape.
[0015] Another object of the present invention is to provide
protruding hang tabs for footwear selected from the group
consisting of shoes, slippers, boots, laceless sneakers, booties,
and other miscellaneous footwear.
[0016] A further object of the present invention is to provide
protruding hang tabs for footwear that can be mass produced in an
automated and economical manner and are readily affordable by the
store owner or manufacturer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0017] In accordance with the present invention there is provided
footwear having plastic or rubber soles and having molded
protruding hang tabs on the soles for use in the pairing of
footwear together. The plurality of protruding hang tabs on each
sole are molded at spaced-apart positions along a perimeter edging
of the sole. The plurality of hang tabs includes a first hang tab
positioned on the toe end of the sole, a second hang tab positioned
on the heel end of the sole, a third hang tab positioned on the
inside section of the sole, and/or a fourth hang tab positioned on
the outside section of the sole. One or more of the hang tabs have
plastic fasteners attached thereto for connecting a pair of the
soles together. The hang tabs are removable from the soles after
purchase by cutting off each hang tab from the perimeter edging of
the sole.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0018] Further objects, features, and advantages of the present
invention will become apparent upon the consideration of the
following detailed description of the presently-preferred
embodiment when taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, wherein:
[0019] FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of the hang tabs for
footwear of the preferred embodiment of the present invention
showing two shoes hanging together in a side by side configuration
on a display card with a swiftach on the toe section hang tabs;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the hang tabs for
footwear of the preferred embodiment of the present invention
showing two shoes hanging together in a back to back configuration
on a display card with a swiftach on the toe and heel section hang
tabs;
[0021] FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the hang tabs for footwear
of the present invention showing the hang tabs having a
rectangular-shaped configuration;
[0022] FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the hang tabs for footwear
of the present invention showing the hang tabs having a
triangular-shaped configuration;
[0023] FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the hang tabs for footwear
of the first alternate embodiment of the present invention showing
the hang tabs positioned on the toe section and heel end section of
a sole of a right shoe;
[0024] FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the hang tabs for footwear
of the second alternate embodiment of the present invention showing
the hang tabs positioned on the in-step section and arch section of
the sole of a left shoe;
[0025] FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the hang tabs for footwear
of the third alternate embodiment of the present invention showing
the hang tabs positioned on the toe section and in-step section of
a sole of the right shoe;
[0026] FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of the hang tabs for footwear
of the fourth alternate embodiment of the present invention showing
the hang tabs positioned on the heel section and arch section of
the sole of the left shoe;
[0027] FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view of the hang tabs for footwear
of the fifth alternate embodiment of the present invention showing
the hang tab positioned on the toe section of the sole of the right
shoe;
[0028] FIG. 10 is a bottom plan view of the hang tabs for footwear
of the sixth alternate embodiment of the present invention showing
the hang tab positioned on the heel section of the sole of the left
shoe;
[0029] FIG. 11 is a bottom plan view of the hang tabs for footwear
of the seventh alternate embodiment of the present invention
showing the hang tab positioned on the in-step section of the sole
of the right shoe; and
[0030] FIG. 12 is a bottom plan view of the hang tabs for footwear
of the eighth alternate embodiment of the present invention showing
the hang tab positioned on the arch section of the sole of the left
shoe.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED AND ALTERNATE EMBODIMENTS
[0031] The protruding hang tabs 10 for footwear 12 and their
component parts of the preferred and alternate embodiments of the
present invention are represented in detail by FIGS. 1 through 12
of the patent drawings. The protruding hang tabs 10 are used for
connecting and/or hanging paired footwear 12 together, or for
attaching price tags 14 or display cards 16 to protruding hang tabs
10, as depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings.
[0032] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the protruding hang tabs 10 each
include a semi-circularly shaped tab member 40 being positioned at
various locations on the perimeter edging 30 of a sole
section/member 20 of the footwear 12. The tab members 40 can be
located and positioned on a toe end 22, on a heel end 24, on an
in-step or inside section 26 and/or on an arch or outside section
28 along the perimeter edging 30 of the sole member 20 of footwear
12. Tab members 40 of protruding hang tabs 10 are in the same
horizontal plane P as the sole member 20 of footwear 12, as shown
in FIGS. 1 and 2. It is understood that the tab members 40 and the
sole section 20 are molded together in one operation and are made
from the same plastic or rubber material. Footwear 12 is selected
from the group consisting of shoes, slippers, boots, laceless
sneakers, booties and other miscellaneous footwear. As shown in
FIGS. 3 and 4, the tab members 40 of the protruding hang tabs 10
can include other geometrically shaped designs such as a
rectangular-shaped tab 40R, a triangular-shaped tab 40T, an
oval-shaped tab, and the like.
First Alternate Embodiment 100
[0033] The protruding hang tabs 110 for footwear 12 and their
component parts of the first alternate embodiment 100 are shown in
FIG. 5 of the drawings. The elements illustrated in FIG. 5 which
correspond to the elements described above with reference to FIGS.
1 and 2 have been designated by corresponding reference numbers
being increased by one hundred. The first alternate embodiment 100
is constructed and operates in the same manner as the preferred
embodiment 10, unless it is otherwise stated.
[0034] With reference to FIG. 5, the tab members 140 of the
protruding hang tabs 110 are exactly the same as the preferred
embodiment 10 except for the orientation of the tab members 140 on
the sole section 20 of footwear 12. Tab members 140 are positioned
on the toe end 22 and the heel end 24 of the sole section 20 of
footwear 12.
Second Alternate Embodiment 200
[0035] The protruding hang tabs 310 for footwear 12 and their
component parts of the second alternate embodiment 200 are shown in
FIG. 6 of the drawings. The elements illustrated in FIG. 6 which
correspond to the elements described above with reference to FIGS.
1 and 2 have been designated by corresponding reference numbers
being increased by two hundred. The second alternate embodiment 200
is constructed and operates in the same manner as the preferred
embodiment 10, unless it is otherwise stated.
[0036] With reference to FIG. 6, the tab members 240 of the
protruding hang tabs 210 are exactly the same as the preferred
embodiment 10 except for the orientation of the tab members 240 on
the sole section 20 of footwear 12. Tab members 240 are positioned
on the inside section 26 and the outside section 28 of the sole
section 20 of footwear 12.
Third Alternate Embodiment 300
[0037] The protruding hang tabs 310 for footwear 12 and their
component parts of the third alternate embodiment 300 are shown in
FIG. 7 of the drawings. The elements illustrated in FIG. 7 which
correspond to the elements described above with reference to FIGS.
1 and 2 have been designated by corresponding reference numbers
being increased by three hundred. The third alternate embodiment
300 is constructed and operates in the same manner as the preferred
embodiment 10, unless it is otherwise stated.
[0038] With reference to FIG. 7, the tab members 340 of the
protruding hang tabs 310 are exactly the same as the preferred
embodiment 10 except for the orientation of the tab members 340 on
the sole section 20 of footwear 12. Tab members 340 are positioned
on the toe end 22 and the inside section 26 of the sole section 20
of footwear 12.
Fourth Alternate Embodiment 400
[0039] The protruding hang tabs 410 for footwear 12 and their
component parts of the fourth alternate embodiment 400 are shown in
FIG. 8 of the drawings. The elements illustrated in FIG. 8 which
correspond to the elements described above with reference to FIGS.
1 and 2 have been designated by corresponding reference numbers
being increased by four hundred. The fourth alternate embodiment
400 is constructed and operates in the same manner as the preferred
embodiment 10, unless it is otherwise stated.
[0040] With reference to FIG. 8, the tab members 440 of the
protruding hang tabs 410 are exactly the same as the preferred
embodiment 10 except for the orientation of the tab members 440 on
the sole section 20 of footwear 12. Tab members 440 are positioned
on the heel end 24 and the outside section 28 of the sole section
20 of footwear 12.
Fifth Alternate Embodiment 500
[0041] The protruding hang tabs 510 for footwear 12 and their
component parts of the fifth alternate embodiment 500 is shown in
FIG. 9 of the drawings. The elements illustrated in FIG. 9 which
correspond to the elements described above with reference to FIGS.
1 and 2 have been designated by corresponding reference numbers
being increased by five hundred. The fifth alternate embodiment 500
is constructed and operates in the same manner as the preferred
embodiment 10, unless it is otherwise stated.
[0042] With reference to FIG. 9, the tab member 540 of the
protruding hang tabs 510 are exactly the same as the preferred
embodiment 10 except for the orientation of the tab member 540 on
the sole section 20 of footwear 12. Tab member 540 is positioned on
the toe end 22 of the sole section 20 of footwear 12.
Sixth Alternate Embodiment 600
[0043] The protruding hang tabs 610 for footwear 12 and their
component parts of the sixth alternate embodiment 600 is shown in
FIG. 10 of the drawings. The elements illustrated in FIG. 10 which
correspond to the elements described above with reference to FIGS.
1 and 2 have been designated by corresponding reference numbers
being increased by six hundred. The sixth alternate embodiment 600
is constructed and operates in the same manner as the preferred
embodiment 10, unless it is otherwise stated.
[0044] With reference to FIG. 10, the tab member 640 of the
protruding hang tabs 610 are exactly the same as the preferred
embodiment 10 except for the orientation of the tab member 640 on
the sole section 20 of footwear 12. Tab member 640 is positioned on
the heel end 24 of the sole section 20 of footwear 12.
Seventh Alternate Embodiment 700
[0045] The protruding hang tabs 710 for footwear 12 and their
component parts of the seventh alternate embodiment 700 is shown in
FIG. 11 of the drawings. The elements illustrated in FIG. 11 which
correspond to the elements described above with reference to FIGS.
1 and 2 have been designated by corresponding reference numbers
being increased by seven hundred. The seventh alternate embodiment
700 is constructed and operates in the same manner as the preferred
embodiment 10, unless it is otherwise stated.
[0046] With reference to FIG. 11, the tab members 740 of the
protruding hang tabs 710 are exactly the same as the preferred
embodiment 10 except for the orientation of the tab member 740 on
the sole section 20 of footwear 12. Tab member 740 is positioned on
the inside section 26 of the sole section 20 of footwear 12.
Eighth Alternate Embodiment 800
[0047] The protruding hang tabs 810 for footwear 12 and their
component parts of the eighth alternate embodiment 800 is shown in
FIG. 12 of the drawings. The elements illustrated in FIG. 12 which
correspond to the elements described above with reference to FIGS.
1 and 2 have been designated by corresponding reference numbers
being increased by eight hundred. The eighth alternate embodiment
800 is constructed and operates in the same manner as the preferred
embodiment 10, unless it is otherwise stated.
[0048] With reference to FIG. 12, the tab member 840 of the
protruding hang tabs 810 are exactly the same as the preferred
embodiment 10 except for the orientation of the tab member 840 on
the sole section 20 of footwear 12. Tab member 840 is positioned on
the outside section 28 of the sole section 20 of footwear 12.
Operation of the Present Invention
[0049] In operation, all of the protruding hang tabs 10, 110, 210,
310, 410, 510, 610, 710, and 810 for footwear 12 of the preferred
and alternate embodiments 10, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700 and
800 respectively, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5 to 12 of the patent
drawings, operate in a similar manner. As shown in FIG. 1, the
paired footwear 12 are in a side by side orientation S.sup.2, such
that each (footwear) shoe 12 is attached to one side of a display
card 16 wherein the tab member 40 on the toe end 22 of each sole
section 20 is attached to the display card 16 using a swiftach
fastener 18S through each of the tab members 40 of the protruding
hang tabs 10 (See FIG. 1). Further, each of the adjacent tab
members 40 oriented on the inside sections 26 of opposing sole
sections 20 are connected together by a tie and tag fastener 18T
having a price tag 14 thereon, as depicted in FIG. 1 of the
drawings.
[0050] As shown in FIG. 2, the paired footwear 12 are in a back to
back orientation B.sup.2, such that each (footwear) slipper 12 is
attached to opposing sides of a display card 16, wherein the tab
members 40 on the toe end 22 of each sole section 20 is attached to
the opposing sides of the display card 16 using a swiftach fastener
18S through each of the tab members 40 of the protruding hang tabs
10 (See FIG. 2). Further, each of the tab members 40 oriented on
the outside sections 28 of opposing sole sections 20 are connected
together by a tie and tag fastener 18T having a price tag 14
thereon, as shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings. Additionally, each of
the adjacent tab members 40 oriented on the heel ends 24 of
opposing sole sections 20 of opposing slippers 12 are also
connected together by a swiftach fastener 18S in order to prevent
the unpairing of the attached slippers 12.
[0051] All of the remaining embodiments 100, 200, 300, 400, 500,
600, 700 and 800 operate in a similar manner for keeping the paired
footwear 12 together.
Advantages of the Present Invention
[0052] Accordingly, an advantage of the present invention is that
it provides for protruding hang tabs for footwear having molded
plastic or rubber soles thereon, wherein the integrally attached
protruding hang tabs on the molded plastic or rubber soles are used
for receiving fasteners or hangers and/or display cards
thereon.
[0053] Another advantage of the present invention is that it
provides for protruding hang tabs for footwear that are used for
either connecting or hanging the paired footwear or slippers
together, or for attaching price tags to the protruding hang
tabs.
[0054] Another advantage of the present invention is that it
provides for protruding hang tabs for footwear that are easily
cut-off and removed from the sole of the footwear or slipper after
the completion of the sale by the consumer leaving little or no
visible remnant in the separated footwear or slippers.
[0055] Another advantage of the present invention is that it
provides for protruding hang tabs which are of durable and reliable
construction for the easy addition of swiftach fasteners, tie and
tag fasteners and/or chip display cards to the protruding hang tabs
according to the display needs of the consumer, store or
manufacturer.
[0056] Another advantage of the present invention is that it
provides for protruding hang tabs for releasably pairing of at
least one pair of shoes, slippers, etc. together in a side by side
configuration or in a back to back configuration.
[0057] Another advantage of the present invention is that it
provides for protruding hang tabs that help to keep the footwear
organized by permitting two or more paired footwear to be coupled
together on a single display card.
[0058] Another advantage of the present invention is that it
provides for protruding hang tabs that have geometrically-shaped
designs such as a semi-circular shape, a rectangular-shape, a
triangular-shape, or an oval-shape.
[0059] Another advantage of the present invention is that it
provides for protruding hang tabs for footwear selected from the
group consisting of shoes, slippers, boots, laceless sneakers,
booties, and other miscellaneous footwear.
[0060] A further advantage of the present invention is that it
provides for protruding hang tabs for footwear that can be mass
produced in an automated and economical manner and are readily
affordable by the store owner or manufacturer.
[0061] A latitude of modification, change, and substitution is
intended in the foregoing disclosure, and in some instances, some
features of the invention will be employed without a corresponding
use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the
appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent
with the spirit and scope of the invention herein.
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