U.S. patent application number 12/165033 was filed with the patent office on 2009-01-08 for footwear adornment, footwear accessory holder, and methods therefor.
Invention is credited to Kevin R. Barnett.
Application Number | 20090007459 12/165033 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40220335 |
Filed Date | 2009-01-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090007459 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Barnett; Kevin R. |
January 8, 2009 |
FOOTWEAR ADORNMENT, FOOTWEAR ACCESSORY HOLDER, AND METHODS
THEREFOR
Abstract
A footwear accessory holder including a mount attachable to the
footwear for receiving at least one display item and a display item
retainer movably disposed on the mount. The mount being movable
between an open position to allow the display item to be received
in the mount and a closed position to prevent the display item from
being removed from the mount.
Inventors: |
Barnett; Kevin R.; (Redondo
Beach, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HOLLAND & HART, LLP
P.O BOX 8749
DENVER
CO
80201
US
|
Family ID: |
40220335 |
Appl. No.: |
12/165033 |
Filed: |
June 30, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60937694 |
Jun 29, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
36/136 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 3/0031 20130101;
A43B 23/24 20130101; A43B 3/0078 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/136 |
International
Class: |
A43B 23/00 20060101
A43B023/00 |
Claims
1. A footwear accessory holder, comprising: a. a mount attachable
to the footwear for receiving at least one display item; and b. a
display item retainer movably disposed on said mount between an
open position to allow said at least one display item to be
received in said mount, and a closed position to prevent said at
least one display item from being removed from said mount.
2. A footwear accessory holder according to claim 1 further
comprising at least one display item removably received in said
mount.
3. A footwear accessory holder according to claim 1 further
comprising a plurality of display items removably received in said
mount.
4. A footwear accessory holder according to claim 2 wherein said at
least one display item is slidably received in said mount.
5. A footwear accessory holder according to claim 2 wherein said at
least one display item comprises a decorative element.
6. A footwear accessory holder according to claim 1 wherein said
mount is adapted to threadedly engage the footwear.
7. A footwear accessory holder according to claim 1 wherein said
display item retainer is pivotally disposed on said mount.
8. A footwear accessory holder according to claim 1 wherein said
display item retainer includes a pair of wing projections.
9. A footwear accessory holder according to claim 1 wherein said
mount and said retainer each comprise a plastic construction.
10. An adornment for laced footwear, comprising: a. a rectangular
mount comprising a frame which includes an upper deck surface and a
slotted channel projecting below said deck surface, said slotted
channel for threadedly receiving laces associated with the footwear
so that said mount may be situated thereon; b. at least one display
item slidably received on said deck; and c. a retainer pivotally
disposed on said mount between an open position to allow said
display item to be removably received by the mount, and a closed
position to capture said display item and hinder removal of the
display item from said mount.
11. An adornment according to claim 10 wherein said mount's frame
includes a pair of laterally spaced apart rails projecting above
said deck to form an elongate slideway for receiving said display
item.
12. An adornment according to claim 11 wherein said display item
includes a pair of laterally spaced apart ledges adapted for
insertion into said slideway.
13. An adornment according to claim 12 wherein said display item is
a rectangular piece that includes a decorative element.
14. An adornment according to claim 10 including a plurality of
display items received on said deck.
15. An adornment according to claim 14 wherein said display items
are interchangeable.
16. An adornment according to claim 10 wherein said retainer is
hingedly disposed on said mount.
17. An adornment according to claim 10 wherein said retainer
lockingly engages said mount when in the closed position.
18. An adornment according to claim 17 wherein said retainer
includes a pair of tabs each adapted to mate with an associated
aperture formed through said frame so that said retainer may
lockingly engage said mount.
19. An adornment according to claim 10 wherein said retainer
includes a pair of laterally projecting wings, each adapted to
lockingly engage said mount when in the closed position.
20. An adornment according to claim 19 wherein each wing includes a
tab adapted to mate with an associated aperture formed through said
frame so that said retainer may lockingly engage said mount.
21. An adornment according to claim 19 wherein each wing has a
contour which follows a shape of the footwear when said retainer is
in the closed position, thereby to present a low profile adornment
for the footwear.
22. A method of adorning laced footwear with a display item,
comprising: a. providing a mount b. threadedly engaging said mount
with laces of the footwear to situate said mount thereon; c.
movably disposing a retainer on said mount so that said retainer is
movable between an open position and a closed position; d. placing
said retainer in the open position; e. disposing at least one
display item on said mount; and f. placing said retainer in the
closed position to hinder removal of said display item from said
mount.
23. A method according to claim 22 further comprising locking said
retainer to the mount when in the closed position.
24. A method according to claim 22 comprising slidably inserting
said display item into said mount.
25. A method according to claim 22 comprising hingedly attaching
said retainer to said mount.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application claims the benefit of U.S.
provisional application Ser. No. 60/937,694 filed on Jun. 29, 2007,
the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its
entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention broadly concerns items of footwear.
More particularly, the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein
concern devices for removable attachment to footwear which can hold
decorative and utility items to be worn on shoes, boots, sandals
and the like. These embodiments illustrate that the footwear
attachment can be mounted on footwear in various ways and
configured to interchangeably hold tiles and items of various
shapes and sizes, all with various utilitarian functions, designs
and logos. The footwear attachment can also provide an attachment
point for wings or flaps and other decorative and/or useful
additions.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Footwear has evolved far beyond simply being a means for
protecting the feet and facilitating locomotion. Footwear is
available for a wide variety of purposes, e.g. walking, playing
golf, lounging, or driving. Footwear has also become a significant
dress item for making a fashion statement and uniqueness and
individuality in footwear are sought after by many customers.
Children especially like to have footwear that sport their own
flair and that stand apart from their peers. In other cases,
companies use promotional items, such as footwear (e.g. shoes) with
their logo attached, as advertisement for their business.
[0004] The custom footwear business is small compared to automated
manufacturing, where each pair of footwear (e.g. shoes) is
identical to the next, and custom footwear is expensive to make due
to their implicit low volume. A means for an individual to
customize their footwear would address the need for adding
uniqueness to their fashion. In addition, the ability to transfer
the chosen customization among footwear would also be
desirable.
[0005] Previous art that attempts to address somewhat similar needs
to those mentioned here are U.S. Pat. No. 5,673,499 issued Oct. 7,
1997 to Attilieni which teaches a removable portion of a shoe
tongue that may include a light source and U.S. Pat. No. 5,496,612
issued Mar. 5, 1996 to Ransbottom which teaches a strap to fit
around the front portion of a shoe and which can hold decorative
items mounted on to it.
[0006] Accordingly, there is a need for a simple means of
personalizing and adorning footwear by attaching decorative tiles,
placards, logos, and the like. In addition, there is a need for a
means to removably attach other items such as wings, flaps, tabs
and the like. There is a still further need to have the ability to
transfer such additions from one pair of footwear to the next.
SUMMARY
[0007] In accordance with these objectives, devices and methods are
contemplated for decorating footwear. To this end, the footwear can
have a variety of styles and configurations even though the
preferred embodiments described herein relate to footwear having
laces. In addition, while many of the exemplary embodiments relate
to the decoration of laced footwear, the teachings herein more
broadly contemplate accessorizing any of a variety of footwear
configurations with decorative items, promotional items, or the
like so that the terms "decorating" or "accessorizing" are not
intended to be construed as in any way limiting various ways in
which the footwear can be adorned.
[0008] Various exemplary embodiments described herein relate to a
footwear accessory holder which broadly comprises a mount
attachable to the footwear for receiving at least one display item,
and a display item retainer. The retainer is movably disposed on
the mount between open and closed positions. When in the open
position, the retainer serves to allow the display item to be
received in the mount. When in the closed position, the retainer
inhibits removal of the display item. One or more display items may
be provided which can, themselves, constitute part of the footwear
accessory holder. The display items, themselves, may be decorative
and comprise decorative elements. Alternatively, each display item
may be constructed to allow a decorative element to be attached to
it.
[0009] In preferred embodiments, the mount is adapted to threadedly
engage the footwear and is pivotally disposed on the mount. Also in
the preferred embodiments, the display item is slidably received in
the mount. To this end, the mount may be rectangular in
configuration and comprise a frame which includes an upper deck
surface and a slotted channel projecting below the deck surface.
The slotted channel threadedly receives laces associated with the
footwear so the mount can be situated thereon. The mount's frame
may also include a pair of laterally spaced apart rails projecting
above the deck to form an elongate slideway for receiving the
display item. Also in the preferred embodiments, the retainer is
pivotally disposed on the mount and constructed so that it may be
locked into the closed position to capture the display item and
hinder removal of it from the mount. To this end, the retainer may
be formed to include a pair of laterally projecting wings, each
having a tab which is adapted to mate with an associated aperture
formed through the frame so that the retainer may lockingly engage
the mount. Together, the mount, the display item and the retainer
comprise an adornment for laced footwear.
[0010] Also described is a method for adorning laced footwear with
a display item. According to this method, a mount is provided and
laces of the footwear threadedly engage the mount to situate it on
the footwear. The retainer is movably disposed on the mount as
described above. The retainer is placed in the open position so
that the display item may be disposed on the mount such as through
slidably inserting it into the mount. The retainer is then placed
in the closed position, and preferably locked in the closed
position, to hinder removal of the display item from the mount.
[0011] These and other objects of the present invention will become
more readily appreciated and understood from a consideration of the
following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments when
taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the footwear adornment
according to a first exemplary embodiment illustrating its
attachment to a shoe;
[0013] FIG. 1B is an exploded plan view illustrating how the
footwear adornment is mounted on footwear employing laces, the
footwear attachment being viewed from the bottom and the footwear
being viewed from the top;
[0014] FIG. 1C is a perspective view of the footwear adornment
showing the retainer in a disengaged state illustrating the
insertion of a decorative panel piece;
[0015] FIG. 2A is a top perspective view of the mount shown in
FIGS. 1A-1C;
[0016] FIG. 2B is a bottom perspective view of the mount shown in
FIG. 2A;
[0017] FIG. 2C is a top view of the mount shown in FIG. 2A;
[0018] FIG. 2D is a bottom view of the mount shown in FIG. 2A;
[0019] FIG. 2E is a right side view of the mount shown in FIG.
2A;
[0020] FIG. 2F is a left side view of the mount shown in FIG.
2A;
[0021] FIG. 3A is a top perspective view of the panel piece shown
in FIGS. 1A-1C;
[0022] FIG. 3B is a top plan view of the panel piece shown in FIG.
3A;
[0023] FIG. 3C is an end view in elevation of the tile piece shown
in FIG. 3A inserted into the mount;
[0024] FIG. 4A is a bottom perspective view of the retainer shown
in FIGS. 1A-1C;
[0025] FIG. 4B is a top perspective view of the retainer shown in
FIG. 4A;
[0026] FIG. 4C is a top plan view of the retainer shown in FIG.
4A;
[0027] FIG. 4D is an end view in elevation of the retainer shown in
FIG. 4A;
[0028] FIG. 4E is a left side view in elevation of the retainer
shown in FIG. 4A;
[0029] FIG. 5A is a side view in elevation of the mount shown in
FIGS. 2A-2F affixed to a shoe;
[0030] FIG. 5B is a side view in elevation illustrating an
alternative construction of the mount shown in FIG. 5A;
[0031] FIG. 5C is a side view in elevation illustrating the mount
according to a second exemplary embodiment;
[0032] FIG. 5D is a side view in elevation illustrating the mount
according to a third exemplary embodiment;
[0033] FIG. 5E is a side view in elevation illustrating an
alternative construction of the mount shown in FIG. 5D;
[0034] FIG. 5F is a side view in elevation illustrating another
alternative construction of the mount shown in FIG. 5D;
[0035] FIG. 5G is a side view in elevation illustrating the mount
according to a fourth exemplary embodiment;
[0036] FIG. 6A is an end view in elevation illustrating the panel
piece and mount according to a fifth exemplary embodiment showing
the panel piece inserted into the mount;
[0037] FIG. 6B is an end view in elevation illustrating the panel
piece and mount according to a sixth exemplary embodiment showing
the panel piece inserted onto the mount;
[0038] FIG. 7A is perspective view illustrating two panel pieces
with representative designs;
[0039] FIG. 7B is a side view in elevation illustrating three panel
pieces;
[0040] FIG. 7C is a perspective view illustrating three panel
pieces in various arrangements;
[0041] FIG. 7D is perspective view of five panel pieces of
different sizes illustrating representative designs; and
[0042] FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating three
representative ornamental designs that may be used on the
retainer.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0043] According to the present disclosure a footwear adornment is
provided which is adapted to be affixed to footwear and may attach
or display various useful and ornamental items. In its broad form,
this footwear adornment has a mount that may be attached to various
types and items of footwear and is adapted to support or display
one or more useful or ornamental items.
[0044] FIG. 1A illustrates the footwear adornment 10 according to a
first exemplary embodiment that is attached to a shoe 2, which has
shoe laces 3. While the various exemplary embodiments are described
with reference to laced footwear, the footwear adornment may also
be used with footwear having other means of securing to ones foot,
such as Velcro or straps. Footwear adornment 10 includes mount 100,
retainer 300, and decorative item 200. As is perhaps best shown in
FIG. 1B, mount 100 is secured to shoe 2 by threading laces 3
through openings 126 and 128 (see FIGS. 2A-2F) that are formed
through the mount. FIG. 1B shows a top view of footwear 2 and a
separate bottom view of footwear adornment 10. Though shown
separately, footwear 2 and footwear adornment 10 are intended to be
considered as joined at the intersection of lace 3 elements A-H,
respectively, with footwear adornment 10 residing on top of
footwear 2. For example, the lace 3 on footwear 2 join the lace 3
drawn on the bottom view of the footwear adornment 10 in the
following manner: A-A, B-B, C-C, D-D, and so on. FIG. 5A is a side
view also illustrating mount 100 laced to the shoe. Although lace 3
is shown passing through mount 100 four times to provide a means
for securing mount 100 to the footwear 2, it should be understood
that this number may vary and may be as few as one.
[0045] FIG. 1C illustrates the ability of footwear adornment 10 to
allow easy interchange of decorative items 200, here in the form of
panel or tile pieces. Retainer 300 is hinged to mount 100 at hinge
110. As such, retainer 300 may be unlatched and rotated clear of
mount 100 in order to allow decorative panel pieces 200 to be
removed and/or installed. One can readily appreciate that this
offers a convenient means for customizing the footwear adornment
for particular moods and occasions without the need to unlace and
lace the shoe each time the decoration is to be changed.
[0046] FIGS. 2A-2F illustrate mount 100 in detail. On the lower
portion of the mount is a bridge or slotted channel formed, in this
case, from element 108 and support elements 116 and 118. Support
elements 116 and 118 raise element 108 away from the mount deck
106. Between the bridge element 108 and the deck 106 are openings
126 and 128. Openings 126 and 128 provide the means for securing
mount 100 to the footwear. More particularly, shoe laces may be
threaded through these openings.
[0047] Above deck 106 is a central recess bounded by spaced apart
rails or sidewalls 112 and 114 that extend longitudinally along
mount 100. This central recess or slideway is sized and adapted to
slidably receive panel pieces 200. At one end of mount 100 the
central recess is bounded by hinge barrel 110 which extends
laterally. Hinge barrel 110 is in the form of a partial cylinder or
barrel that receives cross member pin 310 of retainer 300, as is
described more fully below. Opposite hinge barrel 110 is an open
end at the back of mount 100 that permits the insertion of mount
pieces, e.g. tiles 200, into the central recess of mount 100. On
top of sidewall 112 is overhang or ledge 104. Similarly, on top of
sidewall 114 is overhang 102. Overhangs 102 and 104 extend inward
towards the central recess thus creating grooves 132 and 130.
Referring briefly to FIG. 3C it can be seen that grooves 132 and
130 may have a dovetail configuration that provides a means for
compensating for variation in panel thickness and to provide a
means for retaining panel pieces 200 in grooves 132 and 130 in the
event that retainer 300 is not used. Mount 100 also includes latch
receptacles or apertures 122 and 124 that are configured to receive
latches 318 and 316 respectively of retainer 300, described more
fully below. Latch receptacles 122 and 124 may be, as is shown in
FIG. 2A for example, in the form of a slot. The mount may be made
out of a wide variety of materials including but not limited to
plastics, metals, and the like.
[0048] Turning to FIGS. 3A-3C it can be seen that panel pieces 200
have appropriately sized tongues 212 and 214 to engage the interior
of the grooves, 130 and 132, thus causing the tile to be retained
within the central recess of mount 100. It can be appreciated that
in order to for tiles 200 to fit within and be retained in mount
100, the tile tongues 212 and 214 and vertical depth must be
adapted to fit within the grooves 130 and 132 and central recess of
mount 100. The overall longitudinal length of tile 200 may vary.
Indeed, the length may approximate the longitudinal length of
grooves 130 and 132 such that only one panel piece is accommodated
on mount 100. Alternatively, the length may be some fraction of the
overall mount length such that two or more tiles may be
accommodated on mount 100. It should be appreciated that the panel
pieces may vary widely in length such that a myriad of combinations
of decorations or accessories may be supported by the mount. The
panel pieces may be made out of a wide variety of materials
including but not limited to plastics, metals, rubber, and the
like. Each panel piece 200 has an upper surface 210 that may
support decorative elements and accessories. For example, surface
210 may be embossed, printed, or raised with indicia or decorative
design. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that panel piece 200
may support accessories such as gems, bells, lights, and
electronics to name just a few.
[0049] FIGS. 4A-4E illustrate the construction of retainer 300. The
retainer may be made out of a wide variety of materials including
but not limited to plastics, metals, and the like. In this
embodiment the retainer includes a pair of wing like side pieces
330 and 332 with cross members 310 and 312 extending therebetween
to form an opening 314 for receiving mount 100. Side piece
projections 330 and 332 are preferably of an ornamental design such
as shown in FIGS. 4A-4E and FIG. 8 as examples. Cross member 310 is
in the form of a cylindrical bar or pin. Cross member pin 310 is
snapped into opening 120 formed by hinge barrel 110 of mount 100.
Thus, retainer 300 is pivotally attached to mount 100.
[0050] When the retainer 300 is closed cross member 312 is received
by cutout 140 formed in mount 100 thereby hindering removal of
display items 200 from the mount deck. In addition, latches 318 and
316 engage latch receptacles 122 and 124 to latch or lock the
retainer to the mount. In this embodiment latches 316 and 318 are
in the form of wedge like tabs or protrusions that have one or more
ramped surfaces.
[0051] Having described the first embodiment of the footwear
adornment with some detail, various other embodiments and alternate
constructions are described below. While various embodiments are
described herein, others may exist such as those disclosed in my
earlier U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/937,694 filed on
Jun. 29, 2007, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by
reference in its entirety.
[0052] FIG. 5B is a side view illustrating an alternative
construction 510 of the mount shown in FIG. 5A. In this case, mount
510 includes two slotted channels 511 and 512 for receiving shoe
laces 3. FIG. 5C is a side view illustrating the mount according to
a second exemplary embodiment. In this embodiment the mount is
comprised of two pieces, a mount base 520 that attaches to shoe 2
via lace 3 and a bracket 530 that attaches to mount base 520. FIG.
5D illustrates the mount according to a third exemplary embodiment.
In this embodiment, mount 540 includes a clip 542 that is slid
under lace 3, e.g. via path AA, thus attaching mount 540 to shoe 2.
This embodiment is particularly suited to footwear with Velcro
straps or fixed straps. FIG. 5E is a side view illustrating an
alternative construction of the mount shown in FIG. 5D. In this
case mount 550 includes a clip 552 that has a hook 554 that is
engaged with a loop 556 disposed on mount 550. FIG. 5F shows
another alternative construction of the mount shown in FIG. 5D
where mount 560 again includes a clip 562. In this case clip 562
and mount 560 include cooperative snaps 566 and 564. FIG. 5G is a
side view illustrating the mount according to a fourth exemplary
embodiment where mount 570 utilizes mount hooks 572 that attach to
eyelets 506 to secure mount 570 to footwear 2.
[0053] FIG. 6A is an end view illustrating the panel piece and
mount according to a fifth exemplary embodiment showing the panel
piece 602 inserted into the mount 601 utilizing a key and channel
arrangement. FIG. 6B is an end view illustrating the panel piece
and mount according to a sixth exemplary embodiment showing the
panel piece 612 inserted onto the mount 611.
[0054] FIG. 7A is perspective view illustrating two panel pieces
with representative designs. Decorative items 811 and 813 have
ornamental features of various shapes and sizes. FIG. 7B is a side
view in elevation illustrating three panel pieces. Panel pieces
821, 823 and 825 have ornamental features that vary in height. FIG.
7C is a perspective view illustrating three panel pieces in various
arrangements. FIG. 7D is a perspective view of five panel pieces of
different sizes illustrating representative designs.
[0055] With the foregoing in mind, a method is also contemplated
for adorning laced footwear with a display item. Broadly, a mount
is provided and laces of the footwear threadedly engage the mount
to situate it on the footwear. The retainer is movably disposed on
the mount as described above. The retainer is placed in the open
position so that the display item may be disposed on the mount such
as through slidably inserting it into the mount. The retainer is
then placed in the closed position, and preferably locked in the
closed position, to hinder removal of the display item from the
mount.
[0056] Accordingly, the present invention has been described with
some degree of particularity directed to the exemplary embodiments
of the present invention. It should be recognized, however, that
the present invention is defined by the following claims construed
in light of the prior art so that modifications or changes may be
made to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention without
departing from the inventive concepts contained herein.
* * * * *