U.S. patent application number 13/002799 was filed with the patent office on 2011-07-07 for ornamental attachment for footwear.
Invention is credited to Kha Hamy, Frans Voskuil.
Application Number | 20110162236 13/002799 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40561800 |
Filed Date | 2011-07-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110162236 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Voskuil; Frans ; et
al. |
July 7, 2011 |
ORNAMENTAL ATTACHMENT FOR FOOTWEAR
Abstract
The present invention relates to an ornamental attachment
configured to be connected to a shoelace of a shoe, the ornamental
attachment comprising a body and one or more brackets mounted to
said body, the one or more brackets being configured such that in
use a plurality of shoelace sections extend between eyelets of the
shoe and the one or more brackets, wherein the one or more brackets
are arranged such that in use the shoelace sections extend
outwardly away from the body and outwardly away from one another.
The present invention further relates to a combination of footwear
and the ornamental attachment and to the use of an ornamental
attachment for providing an ornament on a piece of footwear.
Inventors: |
Voskuil; Frans; (Amsterdam,
NL) ; Hamy; Kha; (Amsterdam, NL) |
Family ID: |
40561800 |
Appl. No.: |
13/002799 |
Filed: |
July 10, 2008 |
PCT Filed: |
July 10, 2008 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/NL08/00174 |
371 Date: |
March 17, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/136 ;
24/713.6 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43C 1/00 20130101; A43B
23/24 20130101; A43C 11/24 20130101; Y10T 24/3742 20150115; A43B
3/0078 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/136 ;
24/713.6 |
International
Class: |
A43B 23/00 20060101
A43B023/00; A43C 11/24 20060101 A43C011/24 |
Claims
1. An ornamental attachment configured to be connected to a shoe
via a shoelace, the ornamental attachment comprising a body and one
or more brackets mounted to said body, the one or more brackets
being configured such that in use a plurality of shoelace sections
extend between eyelets of the shoe and the one or more brackets,
wherein the one or more brackets are arranged such that in use a
plurality of shoelace sections extend outwardly away from the body
and diverge from one another.
2. The ornamental attachment according to claim 1, wherein the one
or more brackets are arranged such that in use a plurality of
shoelace sections form a widening pattern.
3. The ornamental attachment according to claim 1, wherein the one
or more brackets are configured and arranged to accommodate more
than two shoelace sections.
4. The ornamental attachment according to claim 1, wherein the one
or more brackets are configured to support a plurality of shoelace
sections extending between eyelets on a left side of the shoe and
the one or more brackets, and to support a plurality of shoelace
sections extending between eyelets on a right side of the shoe and
the one or more brackets.
5. The ornamental attachment according to claim 1, wherein the one
or more brackets are arranged such that when the ornamental
attachment is positioned between a left row of eyelets and a right
row of eyelets of a shoe and laced to the shoe with a shoelace,
shoelace sections are defined which extend between the eyelets and
the one or more brackets, and wherein a distance between each
shoelace section increases in a direction away from the body.
6. The ornamental attachment according to claim 1, wherein the one
or more brackets are arranged such that in use a plurality of the
shoelace sections extend radially.
7. The ornamental attachment according to claim 1, wherein the one
or more brackets are constructed such that a shoelace can extend
from one eyelet of the shoe to another eyelet of the shoe via the
one or more brackets.
8. The ornamental attachment according to claim 1, wherein the one
or more brackets define one or more apertures through which the
shoelace can extend.
9. The ornamental attachment according to claim 1, wherein at least
one bracket is configured to accommodate multiple shoelace
sections, such that multiple shoelace sections extend from the same
bracket to different eyelets of the shoe.
10. The ornamental attachment according to claim 1, wherein the one
or more brackets extend substantially around an outer circumference
of the body.
11. The ornamental attachment according to claim 1, wherein the
ornamental attachment comprises a front plate and a ring mounted to
the front plate.
12. The ornamental attachment according to claim 1, wherein the one
or more brackets are provided behind the body, such that in use the
one or more brackets are substantially concealed from a viewer.
13. (canceled)
14. The ornamental attachment according to claim 1, wherein the one
or more brackets is/are provided as a ring or as a series of
subsections of a ring, the ring or subsections of a ring being
connected to the body via one bridging member or via a plurality of
bridging members.
15. The ornamental attachment according to claim 1, wherein the
body comprises a face member which is substantially circular.
16. The ornamental attachment according to claim 1, wherein the one
or more brackets extend at a substantially uniform distance from an
outer ridge of the body.
17. The ornamental attachment according to claim 1, comprising a
left bracket and a right bracket, the left bracket being configured
to support a plurality of shoelace sections extending between
eyelets on a left side of the shoe and the left bracket, the right
bracket being configured to support a plurality of shoelace
sections extending between eyelets on a right side of the shoe and
the right bracket.
18. The ornamental attachment according to claim 1, wherein the
body has an ornamental form, chosen from a group comprising: a form
of an animal, a form of a text, a form of a known object and a
fantasy form.
19. The ornamental attachment according to claim 1, wherein the
body comprises a flat forward surface, wherein a text, an image, or
another visual item is displayed on said surface.
20. (canceled)
21. (canceled)
22. A combination of footwear and the ornamental attachment of
claim 1, the ornamental attachment being provided on the footwear
in such a way that the shoelace sections form a pattern of lines
which extend outwardly away from one another, wherein the
ornamental attachment is a center of said visual pattern.
23. A combination of a shoelace and an ornamental attachment
according to claim 1.
24. (canceled)
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is the National Stage of International
Application No. PCT/NL2008/000174, filed Jul. 10, 2008, the
contents of which is incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to an ornamental attachment
for footwear such as a shoe. The present invention relates in
particular to an ornamental attachment connected to the shoe via
the shoelace and configured to display an emblem, a text, or a
figure or the like.
[0004] Ornamental attachments are known in the prior art. Emblems
are popular items in merchandising or for children.
[0005] 2. Prior Art
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 4,597,198 discloses a shoe decoration which is
configured to be attached to a shoe via the shoelace. The shoe
decoration comprises a front plate which can display a visual image
such as a text or figure. Behind the front plate, a plate 42 is
provided which defines a passage 52 through which the shoelace may
extend, see FIG. 3 of U.S. Pat. No. 4,597,198. The shoelace section
which extends through the passage 452 extends from an eyelet on a
left side of the shoe to an eyelet on a right side of the shoe. The
shoelace sections thus cross a space between the rows of
eyelets.
[0007] The shoe decoration of U.S. Pat. No. 4,597,198 has a
drawback in that visually, it is not very attractive.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
[0008] It is an object of the invention to provide an ornamental
attachment for footwear which provides an alternative to known
ornamental attachments.
[0009] It is a further object of the invention to provide a simple
and cost effective ornamental attachment for footwear.
[0010] It is a further object of the invention to provide an
ornamental attachment for footwear which is visually
attractive.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] In order to achieve at least one of the objects, the
invention provides an ornamental attachment configured to be
connected to a shoe via the shoelace thereof, the ornamental
attachment comprising a body and one or more brackets mounted to
said body, the one or more brackets being configured such that in
use a plurality of shoelace sections extend between eyelets of the
shoe and the one or more brackets, wherein the one or more brackets
are arranged such that in use a plurality of shoelace sections
extend outwardly away from the body and diverge from one
another.
[0012] Thus, the shoelace sections form an attractive visual
pattern attracting attention and focusing the attention of a viewer
on the body of the ornamental attachment.
[0013] The shoelace sections form a visual pattern of lines. The
shoelace sections can be likened to rays which diverge from the
center which is formed by the body. The lines extend outwardly away
from a center which is formed by the ornamental attachment. The
shoelace will generally be under some tension, and thus the lines
will generally be straight, adding to the visual effect.
[0014] Generally, a shoe is provided with two rows of eyelets or
apertures. The two rows of eyelets are spaced apart and define a
space between the two rows. In a normal shoe or other footwear, the
laces are laced through the eyelets such that the shoe may be tied.
The present invention requires that the shoelaces are laced
differently and in such a way that the ornamental attachment is
connected to the shoe via the shoelace. The shoelace can continue
to perform its normal function
[0015] In use, the shoelace extends from an eyelet on the left row
through the at least one aperture on the ornamental attachment.
From there, the shoelace extends back to a next eyelet on the left
row of eyelets on the shoe. From said next eyelet, the shoelace
extends back to the aperture or to a next aperture of the
ornamental attachment and again back to a next eyelet in the same
row.
[0016] In a suitable embodiment, the one or more brackets are
arranged such that in use the shoelace sections form a widening
pattern. The widening pattern creates an attractive visual
effect.
[0017] In a suitable embodiment, the one or more brackets are
configured and arranged to accommodate more than two shoelace
sections. This allows a real widening pattern to be created.
[0018] In a suitable embodiment, the one or more brackets are
configured to support a plurality of shoelace sections extending
between eyelets on a left side of the shoe and the one or more
brackets, and to support a plurality of shoelace sections extending
between eyelets on a right side of the shoe and the one or more
brackets. Thus, sections of the shoelace on the left side and
sections of the shoelace on the right side may be formed. Both the
left and the right shoelace sections diverge.
[0019] In a suitable embodiment, the one or more brackets are
arranged such that in use a distance between each shoelace section
increases in a direction away from the body. In particular, when
the ornamental attachment is positioned between a left row of
eyelets and a right row of eyelets of a shoe and laced to the shoe
with a shoelace, shoelace sections are defined which extend between
the eyelets and the one or more brackets, and a distance between
each shoelace section increases in a direction away from the body.
In this way, the widening pattern is provided. Because the distance
between each shoelace section increases, the shoelace sections
diverge from one another.
[0020] In another embodiment, the one or more brackets are arranged
such that the shoelace sections extend radially. A radial pattern
is a simple and attractive visual pattern.
[0021] Generally, the one or more brackets are constructed such
that a shoelace can extend from one eyelet of the shoe to another
eyelet of the shoe via the one or more brackets.
[0022] It is possible that the one or more brackets define one or
more apertures through which the shoelace can extend. This
embodiment allows sturdy fixing of the ornamental attachment to the
shoe.
[0023] In another embodiment of the invention, at least one bracket
is configured to accommodate multiple shoelace sections, such that
multiple shoelace sections extend from the same bracket to
different eyelets of the shoe. The sharing of shoelace sections by
brackets reduces the total number of brackets and allows a more
simple design of the ornamental attachment.
[0024] The ornamental attachment may be flat, thereby allowing a
simple construction and cost-effective manufacturing.
[0025] In an embodiment, the one or more brackets extend
substantially around an outer circumference of the body. The one or
more brackets may extend at a uniform distance from an outer ridge
of the body.
[0026] This arrangement causes the shoelace sections to end near
the outer ridge of the body. This arrangement further allows a flat
configuration of the ornamental attachment.
[0027] In an embodiment, the ornamental attachment comprises a
front plate and a ring mounted to the front plate. A ring can be a
simple version of the bracket.
[0028] In another embodiment, the one or more brackets are provided
behind the body, such that in use the one or more brackets are
substantially concealed from a viewer. This embodiment conceals the
windings of the shoelace around the one or more brackets from the
viewer, such that only the straight portions of the shoelace
sections are visible. This adds to the visual effect.
[0029] In a suitable embodiment, in use a ring-like bracket is
mounted behind the body. It is also possible that other kinds of
brackets are mounted behind the body, such as ring sections or
hook-like brackets or other kinds of brackets.
[0030] In a suitable embodiment, the one or more brackets is/are
provided as a ring or as a series of subsections of a ring, the
ring or subsections of a ring being connected to the body via one
bridging member or via a plurality of bridging members.
[0031] In another embodiment, the body comprises a face member
which is substantially circular. A circular form provides a simple
surface for a graphic image or a text message.
[0032] In another embodiment, the ornamental attachment comprises a
left bracket and a right bracket, the left bracket being configured
to support shoelace sections extending to eyelets on a left side of
the shoe, the right bracket being configured to support shoelace
sections extending to a right side of the shoe. This embodiment
provides an efficient connection with the shoelace and the shoe.
The lacing of the shoelace through the aperture defined by the left
and right brackets by the wearer of the shoe is relatively
simple.
[0033] In a suitable embodiment, the body has an ornamental form,
chosen from a group comprising: a form of an animal, a form of a
text, a form of a known object and a fantasy form. These kinds of
forms add to the visual effect of the ornamental attachment.
[0034] In another embodiment, the body comprises a flat forward
surface, wherein a text, an image, or another visual item is
displayed on said surface.
[0035] In another embodiment, the ornamental attachment comprises a
plurality of brackets which are hook-like members. Hook-like
members are simple and also allow easy connection to the shoe via
the shoelace.
[0036] Generally, the one or more brackets are configured to allow
the shoelace to extend around each bracket and extend from one
eyelet on a left side of the footwear to another eyelet on a left
side of the shoe via the bracket and from one eyelet on a right
side of the footwear to another eyelet on a right side of the shoe
via the bracket.
[0037] The preset invention further relates to a combination of
footwear and the ornamental attachment, the ornamental attachment
being provided on the footwear in such a way that the shoelace
sections form a pattern of lines which extend outwardly away from
one another, wherein the ornamental attachment is a center of said
visual pattern.
[0038] The present invention further relates to a combination of a
shoelace and an ornamental attachment. The shoelace may be
specifically designed to match with the ornamental design. For
instance, the colors of the shoelace may match the colors of the
ornamental shoelace. Other tuning of the shoelace to the ornamental
attachment is also possible.
[0039] The present invention further relates to the use of an
ornamental attachment for providing an ornament on a piece of
footwear.
[0040] The claims and advantages will be more readily appreciated
as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following
detailed description and considered in connection with the
accompanying drawings in which like reference symbols designate
like parts, or parts with the same or similar function.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0041] The invention will be further clarified by the following
figures:
[0042] FIG. 1A shows a view of a shoe comprising the ornamental
attachment according to the invention;
[0043] FIG. 1B shows a section of a shoe having the ornamental
attachment of the invention;
[0044] FIG. 2a shows an isometric view of the ornamental attachment
according to the invention;
[0045] FIG. 2b shows a side view of the ornamental attachment
according to the invention;
[0046] FIGS. 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, 3f, 3g, 3h and 3i show front views
of other embodiments of the ornamental attachment according to the
invention;
[0047] FIG. 4 shows a front view of another embodiment of the
ornamental attachment according to the invention;
[0048] FIG. 5a shows an isometric view of the back of the
embodiment of FIG. 4;
[0049] FIG. 5b shows a rear view of the embodiment of FIG. 4;
[0050] FIG. 5c shows a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 4;
[0051] FIG. 5d shows another side view of the embodiment of FIG.
4;
[0052] FIGS. 6a, 6b, 6c and 6d show front views of a shoe
comprising further embodiments of the ornamental attachment
according to the invention;
[0053] FIG. 7 shows a front view of another embodiment of the
invention;
[0054] FIG. 8a shows a rear view of another embodiment of the
invention;
[0055] FIG. 8b shows an isometric view of the embodiment of FIG.
8a; and
[0056] FIG. 8c shows a side view of the embodiment of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0057] Turning to FIGS. 1A and 1B, a shoe 20 is shown with an
ornamental attachment 10 according to the invention. The ornamental
attachment 10 is connected to the shoe 20 via a shoelace 30. The
shoe 20 comprises eyelets 12 for the shoelace 30. The eyelets 12
are arranged in two rows 14, 16 and provided in a left flap 13A and
a right flap 13 B of the shoe 20. Right row 14 is provided on the
right side of the shoe (as viewed in the direction of walking), and
left row 16 is provided on the left side of the shoe. Each row 14,
16 of eyelets comprises 6 eyelets 12.
[0058] A part of the shoelace extends between each eyelet 12 and
the ornamental attachment 10. This part is further referred to as a
shoelace section 27. The shoelace sections 27 form a visual
pattern. The body 32 forms a center of said visual pattern. The
pattern may be a radial pattern. The shoelace sections 27 extend
outwardly and away such that a distance 45 between the shoelace
sections 27 increases with an increasing distance from the body 32.
Parts of the shoelace 30 are concealed from a viewer, because these
parts extend behind a part of the ornamental attachment 10.
[0059] FIG. 1B shows how shoelace sections 27A extend over the
upper side of the bracket 22A, 22b and over the upper side of the
flaps 13A, 13B to the respective eyelets 12. Other shoelace
sections 27b extend from underneath the bracket 22A, 22B and
underneath the flaps 13A, 13B to the eyelets 12. The shoelace
sections 27A may be referred to as upper shoelace sections 27A. The
shoelace sections 27B may be referred to as lower shoelace sections
27B. The lower shoelace sections are partly concealed by the
brackets 22A, 22B, the upper shoelace sections 27A and the flaps
13. When the shoelace 30 is wide, the lower shoelace sections 27B
may be completely or almost completely invisible from a viewer,
because they are concealed by the upper shoelace sections 27A. It
is also possible that due to the lower position of the lower
shoelace sections 27B, the lower shoelace sections 27B are less
visible or not visible.
[0060] Turning to FIGS. 2a and 2b, the ornamental attachment 10
comprises a body 32. The body 32 has a front side 18 which in use
is a facing side on which a text, a figure, a portrait or another
kind of visual image is shown. The body 32 is circular. Other forms
of the body 32 are also possible as will be discussed below.
[0061] The ornamental attachment 10 has two brackets 22a, 22b which
define two apertures 28. The brackets 22a, 22b are connected to the
body 32 via bridging members 24. The brackets 22a, 22b extend
around the circumference 33 of the body 32. The brackets 22a, 22b
form an annular form or a substantially annular form.
[0062] The apertures 28 are configured to allow shoelace sections
27 to be laced through the apertures 28 and extend from an eyelet
to the ornamental attachment and back to another eyelet of the shoe
20.
[0063] Returning to FIGS. 1A and 1B, at the ornamental attachment,
each shoelace section 27 goes over in a next shoelace section 27
via a loop section 29 of the shoelace. The loop sections 29 extend
around the bracket 22a, 22b and through the aperture 28. The loop
sections 29 are curved. The brackets 22a, 22B are configured to
accommodate multiple loop sections 29 on the left side and multiple
loop sections on the right side. The loop sections 29 define a
transition between an upper shoelace section 27A and a lower
shoelace section 27B.
[0064] In FIG. 2b, it is shown that the ornamental attachment 10
has a front side 18, a rear side 19 and a flank 26. The ornamental
attachment 10 has a thickness 36.
[0065] Turning to FIGS. 3a-3i, several variants of the invention
are shown. FIG. 3a shows an embodiment with the shape of FIGS. 2a
and 2b and with a text displayed on the front side 18 of the body
32.
[0066] FIG. 3b shows a variant with a graphic image displayed on
the front side 18 of the body 32.
[0067] FIG. 3c shows an embodiment wherein the brackets 22a, 22b
are circular, but wherein the body 32 has a diamond shape. Other
shapes of the body 32 are also possible. It is also possible that
the brackets 22a, 22b have a different shape.
[0068] FIG. 3d shows an embodiment having six bridging members
24.
[0069] FIG. 3e shows an embodiment of the ornamental attachment 10
having a rectangular form. The brackets 22a, 22b are straight and
extend along a left side and a right side of the body 32.
[0070] FIG. 3f shows an embodiment wherein a square form is
provided. The brackets 22a, 22b are substantially straight and
extend along a left side 38a and a right side 38b of the body
32.
[0071] FIG. 3g shows a star like form of the ornamental attachment
10 of the invention. Both the body 32 and the brackets 22a, 22b
define a substantially star-like form.
[0072] FIG. 3h shows an embodiment having a substantially hexagonal
form.
[0073] FIG. 3i shows a heart-like form, wherein both the body 32
and the bracket 22a, 22b have a heart-like form.
[0074] Turning to FIGS. 4, 5a, 5b, 5c and 5d another embodiment is
shown, wherein the body 32 is provided in front of the brackets
22a, 22b. This provides an increased visual effect, because the
shoelace sections 27 appear to be protruding from out of the body
32, when viewed from above.
[0075] FIG. 5a shows that the brackets 22a, 22b are connected to
the body 32 via bridging members 24 which extend from a back side
19 of the body 32. The brackets 22a, 22b extend coplanar to the
body 32 at a distance 40 to the body 32. The brackets 22a, 22b are
formed as semi-circles, but other forms are also possible.
[0076] FIG. 5b shows that the brackets 22a, 22b extend at a
distance 42 from the outer ridge 38 of the body 32. In one
embodiment, this distance allows a bend in the shoelace 30 around
the bracket to be concealed by the body 32 from the viewer.
Further, a short section of shoelace may also be concealed from the
viewer. The shoelace sections 27 which are visible to the viewer
may be straight. The visible shoelace sections may be spaced apart
near the outer ridge 38 of the body, and diverge further from one
another as the distance between the shoelace sections from the
outer ridge 38 increases.
[0077] FIGS. 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d show other embodiments of the
ornamental attachment 10 of the invention having brackets provided
behind the body 32, wherein FIG. 6a shows a star-like body 32. FIG.
6b shows a body 32 having a form of a flower. FIG. 6c shows a body
32 having a substantially circular form. FIG. 6d shows a body 32
having a combination of a circular form and a text-form. Other
forms are also possible.
[0078] FIG. 7 shows an embodiment having multiple brackets 22a-22f
arranged substantially about the body 32.
[0079] FIGS. 8a-8c show an embodiment having brackets of a
different form. The brackets 22 are hook-like members protruding
from the back side 19 of the body 32. It is also possible that the
hook-like brackets extend outwardly from the outer ridge 38 of the
body 32. It is also possible that each bracket defines an eyelet
through which the shoelace is to be laced.
[0080] Other forms of the brackets 22 are also possible in order to
create the same visual pattern.
[0081] It will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that
numerous other changes in the details and the arrangement of the
parts may be varied over considerable range without departing from
the spirit of the invention and the scope of the claims.
* * * * *