Abstract:
A customizable, multi-unit elongated element. A changeable tongue for shoes, to allow for customization at the users discretion. The hook and loop elongated element may consist of two features, a woven Jacquard fabric customizable portion which may be manipulated with different colors, textures, logo/designs, etc. and a base portion that is attached directly to the original elongated element of a given shoe. The hook and loop elongated element is a solution for the desired customization of shoes.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/331,143 filed on May 3, 2016, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to interchangeable material and more specifically to footwear wherein the tongue of a shoe is a changeable. The invention enables a component of a consumer product such as a shoe to be changed by the wearer, therefore, creating the ability to customize the color, texture, logo/design or any other aesthetic quality of the tongue whenever the user desired. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    With the fashion industry forever evolving, what may be the “In” today may be “Out” tomorrow. In an attempt to keep up with the latest fashion trends while adding one&#39;s own touch of style to everyday apparel, a consumer may end up spending more than what is desired in order to maintain a fashionable, up-to-date wardrobe. A market need exists for apparel articles that are easily customizable. This need is not limited to strictly clothing items, as the need for innovation encompasses various areas of fashion including accessories and even footwear. Footwear is often considered one of the finishing touches to an outfit. Coordination between the style of footwear and the rest of the outfit is ideal in order to create a complete look. Today, when a consumer desires specific footwear but lacks the variety in their shoe collection, they ultimately fail to select a pair of shoes that compliments the stylistic goals of their entire outfit. The consumer is then forced to purchase a new pair of shoes to compliment the outfit. This can result in a significant cost to the end user. Additionally, it is impractical for a consumer to purchase a new apparel article, such as a pair of shoes, every time the consumer wants to coordinate an entire ensemble. In this case, what is needed is a customizable feature on an article like a shoe that may be altered at the user&#39;s discretion. The need for customizability can also be seen in the sporting industry. Sports teams are consistently changing uniforms and the color patterns on their equipment. In addition to providing another level of customizability, the present invention may also provide additional functionality such as, but not limited to support and protection from outdoor elements. The present invention provides for a cost effective way to add another level customization to footwear and other articles of commerce. 
         [0004]    Additionally, the present invention provides for a means for various companies to utilize a component of a consumer article such as a shoe tongue, for various purposes including but not limited to marketing, promotional purposes, pricing, sizing, and enhancing comfort. This is beneficial to a retailer as it may decrease in the amount and cost of packaging and may be used as an extra marketing tool. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a new type of changeable personalization element that may be attached to a consumer article such as, but not limited to, an elongated portion of a shoe creating a customized look. 
         [0006]    A specific embodiment of the present invention provides for a top portion may be made with a woven Jacquard fabric, using “hook &amp; loop” parts. Overall, the idea enables the elongated elements to be changed by the wearer. A wearer may customize an article such as a shoe by changing the specifications of the elongated element. Some of the specifications of the element that may be changed are the color, texture, logo/design (team name for example) etc., all at the user&#39;s discretion. 
         [0007]    In a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the elongated element may host various forms of embellishments on either of its sides. In addition to this, the material(s) that may be used to construct the element is not limited to the woven jacquard fabric. The elongated element may be constructed of several types of material and even contain multiple types in one embodiment, all at a user&#39;s discretion. The irregular shapes illustrated in the figures are dependent upon the shape of the article, accessory, and or user&#39;s purpose. The elongated element may be adhered or affixed to an article in various ways, thus providing a user with ultimate control of how to fasten the element to a given article. 
         [0008]    Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description. It is to be understood, however, that the detailed description of the various embodiments and specific examples, while indicating preferred and other embodiments of the present invention, are given by way of illustration and not limitation. Many changes and modifications within the scope of the present invention may be made without departing from the spirit thereof, and the invention includes all such modifications. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    By referring to the following more detailed description of the presently preferred exemplary embodiments, the objects and advantages of this invention will be more completely understood and appreciated with the accompanying drawings, of which: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  illustrates a top view of the personalization element in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  illustrates a top view of the front of the customizable portion of the personalization element. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  illustrates a top view of the back of the customizable portion, of personalization element. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  illustrates a top view of the front of the base portion of personalization element. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  illustrates a top view of the back of the base portion, of the personalization element. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  illustrates one embodiment of the present invention without a base portion. 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  illustrates a top view of the front of one embodiment of the present invention where a base portion may not be required and the personalization element may have multiple sections. 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  illustrates a top view of the back of one embodiment of the present invention where a base portion may not be required and the personalization element may have multiple sections. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0018]    The invention and methods disclosed in this document are described in detail by way of examples and with reference to the figures. Unless otherwise specified, like numbers in the figures indicate references to the same, similar, or corresponding elements throughout the figures. It will be appreciated that modifications to disclosed and described examples, arrangements, configurations, components, elements, apparatuses, methods, materials, etc. can be made and may be desired for a specific application. In this disclosure, any identification of specific shapes, materials, techniques, arrangements, etc. are either related to a specific example presented or are merely a general description of such a shape, material, technique, arrangement, etc. Identifications of specific details or examples are not intended to be, and should not be, construed as mandatory or limiting unless specifically designated as such. Selected examples of apparatuses and methods are hereinafter disclosed and described in detail with reference made to FIGURES. 
         [0019]    Attention is now directed to  FIG. 1  of the present invention, which illustrates an embodiment of a personalization element  100  of the present invention. The personalization element  100  includes a customizable portion  11  that has a front face  200  and a back face  300 . The personalization element in  FIG. 1  also includes a base portion  20  to which the customizable portion  11  is attached. The base portion  20  may serve as the foundation for adherence of the entire customizable portion  11  of the personalization element  100  onto a consumer article such as a shoe. 
         [0020]    The present invention contemplates that the present invention is not limited to any sort of shapes and contemplates a wide variety of different geometric shapes for instance, the shape illustrated in the drawings in the present invention, circular, oval, square, rectangular, etc. At a user&#39;s discretion one may prefer one form shaping over another. In one embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , there may be a fastening mechanism  401  that covers the front of the base portion  400 . The fastening mechanism  401  may be, but is not limited to the loop structure of a hook and loop mechanism. The fastening mechanism  401  may be attached to the base portion  400  by a variety of means such as but not limited to sewing, adhesive connection, mechanical fasteners (e.g. snaps, buckles), temporary bond and the like. The base portion  400  may be shaped by any means known in the art such as laser cutting, manual scissoring, and other methods for obtaining specific geometric, alpha, or random shape. Also, in another embodiment the front of the base portion and the fastening mechanism  401  may be one in the same. The fastening mechanism  401  may also be shaped by any means known in the art such as laser cutting, manual scissoring, and other methods for obtaining specific geometric, alpha, or random shape. 
         [0021]    Attention is directed to  FIG. 2 , which illustrates the customizable portion  200  in which the customizable portion  200  has both a front  203  and back side  301  (illustrated in  FIG. 3 ) of an irregular shape. The front  203  of the customizable portion  200  may be composed of a customizable material  202 . In one embodiment of the present invention, the customizable material  202  is a Woven Jacquard Fabric. The present invention contemplates that the customizable material may be a wide variety of materials and is not limited to any specific type of fabric. For instance, the customizable material may be made of various types of yarns, e.g. natural and synthetic yarns, Cotton, Nylon, Metallic threads, Recycled PET, etc. or a combination thereof. Also, other non-woven materials such as PU, Silicone, TPU, or a combination thereof might also be used in combination with the woven fabric or separately on their own. Leather and leather likes such as suede, and also various animal skin materials or a combination thereof may be used. Preferably, the materials would be subject to passing standard foot wear testing such as Abrasion, Colorfastness, Pull Strength, Flexometer, Auto-Clave as required by the foot wear manufacturer. Size of the present invention could range from Children&#39;s through Adult&#39;s shoe tongue sizes. 
         [0022]    This customizable material  202  may be laser cut or cold die cut to fit the irregular shape of the customizable portion  10 . The front of the customizable portion  200  may also include and has the ability to host customizable embellishments  202 , to provide the wearer with the option to customize the front of the customizable portion  200  with different company logos or designs of various textures and colors. In one embodiment of the personalization element  100 , the front  203  of the customizable portion  200  may be composed of one or more different materials. For example, for an increased level of resistance to water, the customizable material  202 , may be a more rubbery or plastic material. However, in another embodiment, for aesthetics or any other purpose, the customizable material  202 , on the front of the customizable portion  200 , may consist of half rubber and half woven Jacquard fabric. This allows for the personalization element  100  to become customizable even from a functionality perspective. In a similar manner, the customizable material  202  may be made of one or more colors. The colors may be arranged according to any pattern designed by the user. The material combinations disclosed within this description are not to limit the invention but rather to serve as examples. For instance, the present invention contemplates that in one embodiment, the material  202  is a woven jacquard fabric with a TPU wear resistant coating. The present invention also contemplates that the material  202  and a combination of half Jacquard and half suede materials combined together. 
         [0023]    Attention is redirected to  FIG. 2  which displays an example of a customizable embellishment  201  that may be on the customizable material  202 , located on the front of the customizable portion  200 . The customizable embellishments  201  may be of any geometric, alpha, numeric, or random shape. In the same manner as the customizable material  202  of the customizable portion  200 , the customizable embellishments  201  may consist of one or more different materials. Though  FIG. 2  displays only one customizable embellishment  201  on the front of the customizable material  202 , the customizable material  202  on the front of the customizable portion  200  may host one or more customizable embellishments  201  and is not limited to any particular number of embellishments. Customizable embellishments  201 , may be adhered to the customizable material  202 , or the front of the customizable portion  200  through many different processes known in the art, for example, but not limited to, heat transfer, sewing, weaving, and gluing, each method having unique properties that may be utilized depending on a user&#39;s need. 
         [0024]    In another embodiment of the personalization element  100 , there may be shoe lace holes on the front of the customizable portion  200  should the personalization element be a component of a shoe article. The shoe lace holes of this embodiment serve as a means to stop shoe tongue slippage, as well as a means to secure the shoe lace in the desired pattern. The shoe lace holes may be incorporated as part of the design aesthetics of the customizable portion  200  of the personalization element  100 . In the same manner as the customizable material  202  and customizable embellishment  201 , the shoe lace holes may consist of one or more different materials or colors. 
         [0025]    In yet another embodiment, the personalization element  100  is a shoe tongue consisting of multiple layers. In this particular embodiment the personalization element  100  may completely replace the original shoe tongue of the article, in this case, the article being a shoe. The personalization element  100  may be permanently fastened to the shoe, or temporarily fastened to the shoe. Both the customizable top portion  200  and the base portion  400  (illustrated in  FIG. 4 ) may consist of additional layers other than the previously mentioned. The additional layers serve as a means to manipulate the characteristics of the customizable portion  200 , as well as the base portion. For example, a user may request additional layers beneath the customizable portion  200 , thereby creating an additional barrier(s) between the climate/weather and the article. If the article was a shoe tongue for example, the additional layers would protect the foot and base portion from inclement weather. In respect to the base portion  400 , illustrated in  FIG. 4 , a user may request additional layers in order to provide more padding for foot comfort upon impact, especially in the case of an athletic shoe. The disclosed examples provided above are not to limit the use of additional layers within the elongated element, but rather to expand on the capabilities of this particular embodiment of the invention. 
         [0026]    Attention is redirected to  FIG. 3  of the present invention which displays the back side  300  of the customizable portion  200  having an area and a perimeter. The back  300  of the customizable portion  200  may be composed of a fastening mechanism  301  in one embodiment. In one embodiment, the fastening mechanism  301  covers the entire area of the back side  300  of the customizable portion  200 . The present invention also contemplates that the fastening mechanism  301  may occupy only a portion of the area of the back side  300  of the customizable portion  200  or the fastening mechanism surround the entire or portion of the perimeter of the back side  300  of the customizable portion  200 . The fastening mechanism  301  may be shaped to fit irregular shape of the back of the customizable portion  300  shown in  FIG. 3 . It is to be noted that the fastening mechanism is not limited to just the irregular shape presented in  FIGS. 1-5 . In one embodiment of the personalization element  100 , the fastening mechanism  301 , may be a hook and loop mechanism. Within this embodiment, pressure may be required for complete fastening of the customizable portion  10 , to the base portion  20  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . In another embodiment, the fastening mechanism  301  may be a type of adhesive such as a pressure sensitive adhesive. The adhesive may be removable or permanent based on a user&#39;s need. 
         [0027]    Attention is directed to  FIG. 4  which illustrates the front  402  of the base portion  400 , having both an area and a perimeter. The fastening mechanism  401  of the base portion may be found on the front side of the  402  of the base portion  400  instead of or in addition to the back side  300  of the customizable portion  200  if the fastening mechanism utilized on the back side  300  of the customizable portion  200  is a hook and loop type fastening mechanism. The fastening mechanism  401 , if on the base portion  400 , may cover the entire area of the front  402  of the base portion  400 . This aids to fit the shape of the customizable element  10  if the customizable element  10  is an elongated element such as a shoe tongue. However, the present invention also contemplates that the fastening mechanism  401  may only occupy a portion of the area of the front side  402  of the base portion  400  or may occupy the entire or a portion of the perimeter of the front side  402  of the base portion  400  . The fastening mechanism  401  of the base portion  401  may be shaped to fit the irregular shape of the front  402  of the back portion  400 . It is to be noted that the shape of the base portion  400  is not limited to the irregular shape presented in the figures presented. Additionally the base portion  400  may be shaped by any means known in the art such as laser cutting, manual scissoring, and other methods for obtaining specific geometric, alpha, or random shape. 
         [0028]      FIG. 5  illustrates the back side  500  of the base portion  400 . The back side  500  of the base portion  400  includes a base surface  501  that may be fastened to a consumer article or accessory. Methods of attachment of the back of the base surface  501 , to an article or accessory may include, but are not limited to, sewing, gluing or adhering with an adhesive. While the back side  500  of the base surface  501  may be attached to an article or accessory, the underlying properties of the article or accessory may not change. Where the original article or accessory provided certain comforts or molds, the same properties remain prevalent. It is thereby suggested that one may add the base surface  501  located on the back side  500  of the base portion  400  to an article or accessory while maintaining the functional integrity of the original article or accessory. Besides the initial adherence of the base surface  501  to the original article or accessory, no other manipulation of the original shoe is required for the use of the personalization element  100 . However in another embodiment, the base portion  400  may contain material properties that may manipulate the functionality of the underlying article or accessory. 
         [0029]    The fastening mechanism  301  of the customizable portion  200  and the base portion  400  fastening mechanism  401  may be shaped identically to align perfectly when placed on top of one another. When the fastening mechanism  301  is placed on the base portion  400  fastening mechanism  401 , the assembly of the personalization element  100  becomes complete. However, it is also contemplated that the fastening mechanism  301  and the fastening mechanism  401  do not align and may be positioned unevenly to one another. The personalization element  100  may be dis-assembled at the discretion of the wearer. Various customizable portions  11  may be substituted by the dis-assembly of the fastening mechanism  301  and base portion  401 . 
         [0030]    In yet another embodiment of the personalization element  100  there may be RFID compatibility. The personalization element  100  may host RFID technology on the customizable portion  10 , and the base portion  20 . In one embodiment, the customizable embellishment  201  illustrated in  FIG. 2  may be an RFID device. The RFID technology may be used to obtain data such as, but not limited to heart rate, steps, and mileage. This embodiment of the personalization element  100  would serve exceptionally well within running shoes or any athletic shoe. 
         [0031]    Attention is now directed to  FIG. 6 . Where the present invention also contemplates an embodiment in which the personalization element  600  does not require a base portion  20  before it is attached to an article. This embodiment presents a personalization element  600  that may be directly fastened to an article by a user. The customizable portion  602  has both a front  601  and back  604  side. Both the customizable portion  602  and the back surface  604  may host embellishments  603  just as stated in the previous embodiments. The fastening method by which the personalization element  600  is attached to an article may vary. One may fasten the personalization element  600  to an article through methods such as, but not limited to, gluing, sewing, or heat transfer. The personalization element may be removable or permanently adhered to an article at a user&#39;s discretion. This embodiment also encompasses the potential to coincide with the previously stated embodiments. 
         [0032]    Attention is now directed to  FIG. 7 . In yet another embodiment, the personalization element  700  may not require a base portion  20 . The personalization element  700  has both a front  701  and back  800  sides, see  FIG. 8  for diagram of the back side. Both the customizable portion  702  of the front face  701  and the back surface  801  of the back side  800  may host embellishments  705  just as stated in the previous embodiments. The customizable portion  702  of the front face  701  may have a first  703  and a second  704  section; whereby the first section  703  may be permanently or temporarily adhered to the article and the second section  704  may be temporarily adhered to the first section  703  by various means of fastening, such as, but not limited to, gluing, sticking, or stitching. The disclosed examples provided above are not to limit the number of sections prevalent on the personalization element, but rather to expand on the capabilities of this particular embodiment of the invention. This embodiment of the current invention may have multiple sections. This embodiment also encompasses the potential to coincide with the previously stated embodiments. 
         [0033]    It will thus be seen according to the present invention highly advantageous method of article or accessory customization. While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiment, and that many modifications and equivalent arrangements may be made thereof within the scope of the invention, which scope is to be accorded the broadest interpretation of the appended claims so as to encompass all equivalent structures and products. 
         [0034]    The inventors hereby state their intent to rely on the Doctrine of Equivalents to determine and assess the reasonably fair scope of their invention as it pertains to any apparatus, system, method or article not materially departing from but outside the literal scope of the invention as set out in the following claims.