Abstract:
This is directed to systems, processes, machines, and other means that mechanically couple a shoe strap to a shoe. The invention can hold shoe laces tied and provide the user with a marketing area.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to provisional application 61/341,033 filed on Mar. 9, 2011 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       THE NAMES OF PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
       [0003]    Not Applicable 
       INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC 
       [0004]    Not Applicable 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    This invention relates to a strap that fits across the face of a shoe. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    There are a variety of theories of how to hold shoe laces tied which involve technology which teaches away from that involved in the present invention. For example, the shoelace holder proposed by Hubbard in U.S. Pat. App. 2009/0293240 A1 involves installing a hook and loop fastener across the face of the shoe. This requires permanently altering the shoe in order to install the Hubbard device. The attachment device proposed by Simon in U.S. Pat. App. 2008/0229621 A1 involves inserting a large device over the shoe laces that covers the shoe laces in their entirety. The lace securing apparatus proposed by Perler in U.S. Pat. No. 7,404,242 B1 proposes a large clip that covers the shoe laces in a manner similar to Simon. In each case, no device teaches using hooks in shoe eyelets to secure a device that can both secure the shoe laces and provide a marketing area. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present invention includes methods, systems, and other means for a strap assembly comprising a shoe strap which further comprises a marketing area. The shoe strap is mechanically coupled to a first hook by a first rivet and a second rivet. The shoe strap is also mechanically coupled to a second hook by a third rivet and a fourth rivet. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the invention shown in use. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a top view of the invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a detailed section view of the invention taken along line  5 - 5  in  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    Embodiments of the present invention overcome many of the obstacles associated with securing shoe laces and providing a marketing area, and now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings that show some, but not all embodiments of the claimed inventions. Indeed, the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of the strap assembly  10  which rests across the face of shoe  20 . Here a user desires to keep shoe laces  18  from becoming untied and simultaneously providing a marketing area which is shown in more detail in  FIG. 2 . A section view along line  5 - 5  is shown in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0016]      FIG. 2  shows strap assembly  10  in more detail. Shoe strap  12  is mechanically coupled to first hook  16  by first rivet  14  and second rivet  14 . Shoe strap  12  is further mechanically coupled to second hook  16  by third rivet  14  and fourth rivet  14 . Shoe strap  12  further comprises marketing area  24  that can be used to display messages according to manufacturer or user preference. 
         [0017]      FIG. 2  shows another view of strap assembly  10 . As noted above, shoe strap  12  is mechanically coupled to first hook  16  by first rivet  14  and second rivet  14 . Shoe strap  12  is further mechanically coupled to second hook  16  by third rivet  14  and fourth rivet  14 . 
         [0018]    While a variety of materials can be used for strap assembly  10 , it may be useful to make shoe strap  12  of a molded flexible plastic or silicone. First hook  16  and second hook  16  can be made of metal or plastic, but the material should be sufficiently flexible such that first hook  16  and second hook  16  can be mechanically coupled to first shoe eyelet  22  and second shoe eyelet  22  as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0019]      FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4  show more views of strap assembly  10 . As noted above, shoe strap  12  is mechanically coupled to first hook  16  by first rivet  14  and second rivet  14 . Shoe strap  12  is further mechanically coupled to second hook  16  by third rivet  14  and fourth rivet  14 . Shown here, shoe strap further comprises marketing area  24 . The strap assembly can be made in a wide variety of dimensions to accommodate user preference. 
         [0020]      FIG. 5  shows a section view along line  5 - 5  in  FIG. 1 . To use the device, the user ties shoe laces  18  in a manner which is well known. After shoe laces  18  are tied the user inserts first hook  16  through first shoe eyelet  22 . The user then stretches shoe strap  12  over the face of shoe  20  and inserts second hook  16  through second shoe eyelet  22 . At this point, first hook  16  can be bent mechanically coupling first hook  16  to first shoe eyelet  22 . Similarly, second hook  16  can be bent mechanically coupling second hook  16  to second shoe eyelet  22 .