Abstract:
An apparatus, method and system for interchangeable decorative elements for footwear includes a female-style attachment point or receiver mounted to the footwear item Multiple male-style accessory attachments are provided, each male-style accessory attachme compπsing a surface for mounting a decorative element to it, or for integrally forming the decorative element with it Multiple decorative elements are provided The female-style attachment point comprises a tπlobe-shaped aperture and the male-style accessory attachment comprises an extension member and a tπlobe-shaped engagement member, the engagement member being ‘unctionally adapted to be received by and removably retained within the aperture The appearance of the footwear item can be customized by the user as 33 desired or required by removing the male-style accessory attachment, with its decorative element, from the female-style attachment point and replacing it with another In the preferred embodiment, the footwear item is a sandal

Description:
[0001]    This application claims the benefit and priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/085,742 filed Aug. 1, 2008. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to footwear and to methods and systems that are used to accessorize and decorate such footwear. More specifically, the present invention relates to footwear having removably attachable and interchangeable decorative elements and to a method and system for removably attaching such elements to the footwear as the user desires or requires. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The use of footwear can be traced to ancient times. Indeed, prehistoric ancestors are known to have wrapped their feet in animal skins to prevent them from exposure to the elements. Ancient civilizations, in Egypt, Greece and Rome, wore sandals having a firm sole to protect the soles of the feet, with minimal uppers to allow air to circulate freely. While the functionality of footwear was an important reason for the development of different types and styles of footwear around the world, the ability to make such footwear attractive as well as functional has become an important goal of modern footwear manufacturers. 
         [0004]    Today, footwear comes in many different styles, shapes, sizes and colors, the variety being limited only by the imagination of footwear designers and manufacturers. One drawback to having many different styles of footwear is that footwear that is appropriate for one occasion may not be appropriate for another. This is true even if the appropriateness of the footwear, as viewed by the user or wearer, is related only to the decorative and non-utilitarian features of the footwear. 
         [0005]    In the experience of these inventors, there is a need in the footwear industry to devise an apparatus, method and system such that interchangeably decorative elements can be added to or removed from such footwear to suit the fancy of the user or wearer. There is also a need to devise such an apparatus, method and system whereby the addition or removal of such decorative elements can be accomplished easily, quickly and without the need for tools or other devices. There is further a need to provide the user or wearer with the ability to select decorative elements from a wide variety of possible adornments. 
         [0006]    Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a footwear apparatus, method and system whereby the user can quickly and easily adapt his or her footwear to fit a variety of occasions as may be desired or required. It is another object to provide such a footwear apparatus, method and system whereby the user can accessorize his or her footwear in an almost infinite number of ways through the use of a unique attachment design. It is still another object to provide such a footwear apparatus, method and system whereby the accessory item attached to the user&#39;s footwear in a removable fashion so as to allow the user to alternatively place the accessory item on another item, including clothing and non-clothing items, using the unique attachment design. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The footwear apparatus, method and system of the present invention have obtained these objects. They provide for a footwear apparatus having a unique design for attaching and removing decorative footwear elements as may be desired or required by the user. The footwear with which the apparatus, method and system may be used is not limited to any particular design of footwear, although a first preferred embodiment resides in a sandal-type design. 
         [0008]    The footwear apparatus, method and system of the present invention establish a new level of creativity in the footwear industry and provide new ways for consumers to be creative in accessorizing their wardrobes and other personal items. Using the apparatus, method and system of the present invention, users can convey their own distinctive sense of style with whimsical and eclectic accessories. In accordance with the present invention, decorative elements may be placed on a user&#39;s footwear and then removed and replaced on another clothing item, or a non-clothing item, as may be desired or required by the user. 
         [0009]    The foregoing and other features of the apparatus, method and system of the present invention will be apparent from the detailed description that follows. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIGS. 1-8  are perspective views of exemplary embodiments of footwear constructed in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 9  is an enlarged perspective view of the attachment concept utilized in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIGS. 10 ,  10 A,  11 ,  12  and  12 A are various perspective views illustrating further details of the female-style attachment points and the male-style accessory attachments for use with footwear in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIGS. 13 and 14  are additional detailed drawings of attachment connectors and related parts for use with footwear in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIGS. 15-42  are perspective views of additional exemplary embodiments of footwear constructed in accordance with the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]    Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein like numbered elements refer to like elements throughout,  FIGS. 1 through 8  illustrate exemplary embodiments of footwear constructed in accordance with the apparatus, method and system of the present invention. 
         [0016]    For example,  FIG. 1  shows a footwear item, generally identified  10 , in the form of a sandal. The sandal  10  has a heel portion  12 , a sole  14  and an upper strap arrangement  16 . It is to be understood that the sandal  10  shown is for purposes of illustration only. The sandal  10  shown is but one preferred embodiment of the present invention and is in no way limiting of the present invention. 
         [0017]    Disposed within the strap  16  of the sandal  10  are a number of female-style attachment “points” or “receivers”  18  of the type generally shown in  FIGS. 10 and 10A . Each female-style attachment receiver  18  includes a centrally-disposed aperture  19  having a “trilobe” or “trefoil” shape. This aperture  19  is intended to be functionally adapted to receive a male-style accessory attachment of the type that is generally shown in  FIGS. 11 ,  12  and  12 A and which is also “trilobe” or “trefoil” shaped. This interlocking relationship will be discussed in greater detail later in this description. 
         [0018]      FIG. 2  illustrates a second embodiment of a footwear item, generally identified  20 , also in the form of a sandal. This particular sandal  20  again includes, as its basic elements, a heel portion  22 , a sole  24  and an upper strap  26 , the upper strap  26  being a one-piece unitary structure that is wrapped around, and is attached to, the sole  24  of the sandal  20 .  FIG. 3  illustrates additional views of the sandal  20  shown in  FIG. 2  and further illustrates one attachment means that can be used for securing the upper strap  26  to the heel portion  22  and to the sole  24 . The upper strap  26  also includes an integrally-formed “looped” structure  27 . 
         [0019]      FIG. 4  illustrates a sandal  20  of the type that is shown in  FIG. 2  and further illustrates a female-style attachment “point” or “receiver”  28  in accordance with the present invention. The female-style attachment point  28  is intended to be received and retained within an arcuate forward portion  27  of the upper strap  26 , the arcuate forward portion  27  also forming the “loop-like” structure in the strap  26  as previously described and shown in  FIG. 3 . A male-style accessory attachment (not shown) carries an accessory item  21 , the accessory item  21  being configured to be removeably attached to the aperture  29  formed in the female-style attachment point  28 . Again, it is to be understood that the sandal  20  and the accessory item  21  shown are for purposes of enablement and to illustrate a preferred embodiment of the present invention. They are in no way a limitation of the present invention, the present invention being functionally adapted to be incorporated into any number of footwear styles as will be further apparent throughout this detailed description. 
         [0020]      FIGS. 5 and 6  illustrate the same type of sandal  20  shown in  FIG. 2  and also illustrate the female-style attachment point  28  being used with a continuous or discontinuous receiving slot  23  that is defined within the outer surface of the upper strap  26 . The receiving slot  23  is used to receive the base (not shown) of any number of decorative elements  25   a ,  25   b  of the type shown in  FIG. 6 .  FIG. 7  shows additional variations of the basic sandal  20  that is illustrated in  FIGS. 2-6  and shows the use of different decorative elements with them.  FIG. 8  illustrates yet another variation on the basic sandal  20  described herein. 
         [0021]    It is also to be understood that the decorative elements discussed throughout this detailed description may be of the type that are purely decorative or of the type that incorporate emblems associated with specific organizations, teams, or events. For example, the decorative element could sport the emblem of a specific professional or college sports team. Alternatively, the decorative element could sport the emblem in support of a specific philanthropic cause or event. The types of decorative elements that may be used are substantially without limit and the present invention is not so limited. 
         [0022]    Referring now to  FIG. 9 , it illustrates, in greater detail, an enlarged portion of the strap  26  of the sandal  20 , together with the slot  23  defined in it. The slot  23  has an access end  31  that is functionally adapted to receive a connector  33  having a stud  35  extending to one side of it. An ornamental element  37  can be secured to the stud  35  and the connector  33  can be inserted into the slot  23  of the strap  26  at the access end  31 . Similarly, another female-style attachment point  38  having a “trilobe” or “trefoil” profiled aperture  39  defined within it is illustrated for use with the sandal  20  as well. 
         [0023]    Referring now to  FIG. 10 , it illustrates three different variations on the female-style attachment “points” or “receivers” contemplated for use with the apparatus, method and system of the present invention. It is to be understood, however, that the female-style attachment points or receivers are again shown only for purposes of enablement and are by no means limiting to the exact form of female-style attachment point or receiver that is utilized in the present invention. The first female-style attachment point  38  is of the type illustrated in  FIG. 9 . The second is of the type also illustrated in  FIG. 9 , but shown as a slot  23  defined in the strap  26 . The third is another female-style attachment point or receiver  48  having a “trilobe” shaped aperture  49  as well. 
         [0024]      FIG. 10A  illustrates in greater detail the functionality of a female-style receiver  140  that is configured in accordance with the present invention. The receiver  140  includes a face  142 , the face  142  having a “trilobe” shaped aperture  144  defined in it. Below the face  142  of the receiver  140  is a cavity  146 . As shown, the cavity  146  has an outer perimeter  147  and a plurality of locking “dots” or inwardly projecting shoulders  149 . In the preferred embodiment, the receiver cavity  146  has six such shoulders  149  defined within it. The purpose of the shoulders  149  is to “lock” a portion of a complementary male-style accessory attachment to the receiver  140 . 
         [0025]    In order to secure a decorative element to the female-style attachment point or receiver  28 ,  38 ,  48 ,  140  as previously described, a male-style accessory attachment  52 ,  62 ,  72 ,  150  is used. See  FIGS. 11 and 11A . By way of example, and by referring specifically to the male-style accessory attachment  72  that is also illustrated in greater detail in  FIG. 12 , it will be seen that the accessory attachment  72  is comprised of a mounting surface  74 , an extension member  76  and a “trilobe” shaped male engagement member  78 . The engagement member  78  is functionally adapted to be removably receivable within the like-configured aperture  29  of the female-style attachment point  28 , for example. Use of this type of engagement and disengagement is a fundamental aspect of the apparatus, method and system of the present invention.  FIGS. 13 and 14  illustrate additional construction details of various like elements that can be interchangeably used with the apparatus, method and system of the present invention. 
         [0026]    By way of additional example, and by referring specifically to the male-style accessory attachment or “stud”  150  that is also illustrated in greater detail in  FIG. 12A , it will be seen that the stud  150  is comprised of a base  152  having a mounting surface  151 . The stud  150  also has an extension member or stem  154  and a “trilobe” shaped male engagement member  156 . The engagement member  156  has a plurality of lobes  158  that are shaped and sized to fit within the slightly larger, but like-shaped, aperture  144  of the receiver  140 . Each lobe  158  has an underside  157  and an outer edge  159 . 
         [0027]    In application, a user would line up the male engagement member  156  with the aperture  144  of the receiver  140 . The engagement member  156  is then inserted into the aperture  144  to the point that the underside  157  of each lobe  158  reaches the cavity  146  below the face  142  of the receiver  140  and can pass underneath a portion of the face  142 . This may require the user to push downwardly on the stud  150  slightly. With the stud  150  in this position, the user then turns the stud  150  generally about sixty degrees clockwise or counterclockwise relative to the receiver  140  such that the underside  157  of each lobe  158  passes underneath the face  142  of the receiver  140  and the edge  159  of each lobe  158  is urged between two of the dots  149  that face inwardly from the perimeter  147  of the cavity  146  of the receiver  140 . The presence of the dots  149  allows the lobes  158  to remain in position and allows the stud  150  to remain securely fastened, but removably so, to the receiver  140 . When the user desires to remove the stud  150  and replace it with another, the reverse of the steps described here is followed, it being understood that each stud  150 , or pair of studs  150 , may be uniquely detailed with a decorative element. 
         [0028]    It is also to be understood that the receiver  140  and stud  150  combination as described above can be used to accessorize a user&#39;s other clothing and clothing accessory items, including purses, caps, hats, belts, bracelets, coats, and the like. The receiver  140  would be affixed in some suitable fashion to the clothing or clothing accessory item and a stud  150 , removed from the footwear item, could be re-located to the clothing or clothing accessory item. It is also to be understood that the receiver  140  and stud  150  combination could be used with non-clothing items such as back-packs, lunch boxes, laptop computer cases, and the like, in the same fashion. 
         [0029]      FIG. 15  illustrates yet another alternative embodiment whereby the female-style attachment point  88  is incorporated at different portions of the footwear item, generally identified  80 , also in the form of a sandal. As shown, an attached decorative element  82  extends between an upper strap  84  and a toe member  86  of the sandal  80 , each of which is outfitted with a female-style attachment point  88 . A similar arrangement is illustrated in  FIG. 16  where the sandal  90  includes an upper strap  96  and a toe member decoration  91 , the toe member decoration  91  being mountable to a female-style attachment point (not shown). The upper strap  96  includes a slot  93  and female-style attachment point  98  to either side of the strap  96  at its point of attachment.  FIGS. 17 and 18  illustrate further embodiments of a sandal that is constructed in a similar fashion as that shown in  FIGS. 15 and 16 . 
         [0030]    By way of another example of a preferred embodiment,  FIG. 21  illustrates a more enclosed-type of footwear, most similar to a shoe or boot, generally identified  100 , the shoe  100  utilizing a plurality of female-style attachment points  108 . 
         [0031]    In yet another example of a preferred embodiment,  FIG. 23  illustrates footwear, generally identified  110 , that is more “dressy.” As shown, this variation utilizes a plurality of female-style attachment points  108  disposed atop the footwear  110  and on the heel  102 , together with the male-style accessory attachments  101  to “dress-up” the footwear  110 , as well as using them to attach decorative features  101 . Similar structure and configuration is generally illustrated in  FIGS. 24 and 25 . 
         [0032]      FIG. 26  illustrates use of the unique “trilobe” design as an attachment means for connecting the upper strap  126  of a footwear item, generally identified  120 , to the heel portion  122 , the heel portion  122  forming an integral part of the upper strap  126 . 
         [0033]      FIGS. 27 and 28  illustrate boot-style footwear  130  utilizing a boot or “sock” insert  132  as well as decorative elements  131  as previously described. In this particular embodiment, the boot or “sock” insert  132  includes ears  134  that may be secured to the footwear  130  by means of the female-style attachment points  138  as previously described. 
         [0034]    The remaining  FIGS. 29 through 42  illustrate additional embodiments of footwear that are constructed in accordance with the apparatus, method and system of the present invention. Again, it is to be understood that variations to the essential elements may be made and the female-style attachment points and the male-style accessory attachments may be used throughout the footwear for a number of decorative and utilitarian or functional purposes, many of which are illustrated in the drawings referred to herein. It is also to be understood that footwear that is fabricated in accordance with the apparatus, method and system of the present invention can be made for any user or consumer regardless of size, age or sex, the footwear being capable of use by, and manufacture for, adults, children, men and women alike. 
         [0035]    In view of the foregoing, it will be apparent there has been provided a new, useful and non-obvious footwear apparatus, method and system whereby the user can quickly and easily adapt his or her footwear to fit a variety of occasions as may be desired or required. In accordance with the present invention, there is provided such a footwear apparatus, method and system whereby the user can accessorize his or her footwear in an almost infinite number of ways through the use of the unique attachment design disclosed herein, the attachment means providing for quick and easy attachment and removal of design elements from the footwear as desired or required by the user.