Patent Publication Number: US-2018027928-A1

Title: Footwear with customizable jewels and charms

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/368,224, filed Jul. 29, 2016, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The following information is provided to assist the reader in understanding technologies disclosed below and the environment in which such technologies may typically be used. The terms used herein are not intended to be limited to any particular narrow interpretation unless clearly stated otherwise in this document. References set forth herein may facilitate understanding of the technologies or the background thereof. The disclosure of all references cited herein are incorporated by reference. 
     Professionally designed shoes or designer shoes are highly desired as fashion accessories. Increasingly, however, people wish to further individualize their clothing. Currently, the ability to individualize or accessorize footwear/shoes is very limited. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one aspect, an article of footwear includes an upper section having attached thereto an attachment system. The attachment system includes an extending member. At least one end of the extending member is releasably attachable to the remainder of the attachment system via a releasable attachment mechanism. The extending member is adapted to removably attach one or more charms thereto via a connector (for example, a passage) of each of the one or more charms. The extending member may, for example, be a flexible member or a rigid member. The attachment system may further include at least a first anchor point attached to the article of footwear. The at least a first anchor point may, for example, include the releasable attachment mechanism. The attachment system may further include at least a second anchor point, wherein the extending member extends between the at least a first anchor point and the at least a second anchor point. The attachment system may further include at least one guide member attached to the article of footwear. The guide member may, for example, include at least one passage therethrough through which the extending member passes. The at least one guide member may, for example, be positioned intermediate between the at least a first anchor point and the at least a second anchor point along the length of the extending member, when the extending member passes through the at least one guide member. 
     In another aspect, a method of attaching one or more charms to an article of footwear includes connecting an attachment system to an upper section of the article of footwear. The attachment system includes an extending member. At least one end of the extending member is releasably attachable to the remainder of the attachment system via a releasable attachment mechanism. The method further including removably attaching one or more charms to the extending member via a connector (for example, a passage) of each of the one or more charms. 
     In another aspect, an attachment system includes a first anchor point attachable to an article of footwear, at least a second anchor point attachable to an article of footwear to be spaced from the first anchor point on the article of footwear, and an extending member extending between the first anchor point and the at least a second anchor point. At least one end of the extending member is releasably attachable via a releasable attachment mechanism at the at least a second anchor point. The extending member is adapted to removably attach one or more charms thereto via a connector (for example, a passage) of each of the one or more charms. 
     The present devices, systems, and methods, along with the attributes and attendant advantages thereof, will best be appreciated and understood in view of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  illustrates an embodiment of an attachment system hereof in operative connection with a shoe, wherein the attachment system is in a closed state with a plurality of charms attached thereto. 
         FIG. 1B  illustrates the attachment system of  FIG. 1A  in a closed state with no charms attached thereto. 
         FIG. 1C  illustrates the attachment system of  FIG. 1A  in an open state wherein charms may be placed in connection with the extending member or attachment line or removed from connection therewith via a connector such as a passage of the charms. 
         FIG. 2A  illustrates schematically an embodiment of a charm including a passage therethrough for attachment to an extending member of an attachment system hereof. 
         FIG. 2B  illustrates schematically another embodiment of a charm including a connector extending which includes a passage therethrough for attachment to an extending member of an attachment system hereof. 
         FIG. 3A  illustrates another embodiment of an attachment system hereof in operative connection with a shoe. 
         FIG. 3B  illustrates another embodiment of an attachment system hereof in operative connection with a shoe. 
         FIG. 3C  illustrates another embodiment of an attachment system hereof in operative connection with a shoe. 
         FIG. 3D  illustrates another embodiment of an attachment system hereof in operative connection with a shoe. 
         FIG. 3E  illustrates another embodiment of an attachment system hereof in operative connection with a shoe. 
         FIG. 3F  illustrates another embodiment of an attachment system hereof in operative connection with a shoe. 
         FIG. 3G  illustrates another embodiment of an attachment system hereof in operative connection with a shoe. 
         FIG. 3H  illustrates another embodiment of an attachment system hereof in operative connection with a shoe. 
         FIG. 3I  illustrates another embodiment of an attachment system hereof in operative connection with a shoe. 
         FIG. 3J  illustrates another embodiment of an attachment system hereof in which individual charms may be attached to the attachment system via, for example, cooperating attachment mechanisms or connectors on an anchor point and on the charm. 
         FIG. 3K  illustrates another embodiment of an attachment system hereof in which individual charms may be attached to the attachment system via, for example, cooperating attachment mechanisms or connectors on an anchor point and on the charm. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates schematically an embodiment of an attachment system herein in operative connection with a variety of types of footwear. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     It will be readily understood that the components of the embodiments, as generally described and illustrated in the figures herein, may be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations in addition to the described representative embodiments. Thus, the following more detailed description of the representative embodiments, as illustrated in the figures, is not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments, as claimed, but is merely illustrative of representative embodiments. 
     Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” (or the like) means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearance of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” or the like in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. 
     Furthermore, described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided to give a thorough understanding of embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the various embodiments can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, et cetera. In other instances, well known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obfuscation. 
     As used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an”, and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “an extending member” includes a plurality of such extending members and equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art, and so forth, and reference to “the extending member” is a reference to one or more such extending members and equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art, and so forth. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value, as well as intermediate ranges, are incorporated into the specification as if individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contraindicated by the text. 
     In a number of embodiments, footwear hereof provides a unique combination of articles of footwear (for example, shoes, boots etc.) with jewelry, charms, adornments or other ornamentation that can be attached and customized on an individual basis. Examples of jewelry suitable for use herein include, for example, personal ornaments such as charms and other jewelry that may for example, include metals, a precious stone, a crystal or a piece of a hard lustrous or translucent mineral, cut into shape with flat facets or smoothed and polished for use as an ornament. Jewels/charms hereof may include precious metal and/or stones or be costume jewelry (which is fabricated, from relatively inexpensive materials). The custom options for the jewelry pieces (charms) provide an individual the opportunity for personal expression through a vast assortment of high-quality and contemporary charms and shoes. As used herein, the term “charm” encompasses any adornment or ornament that can be placed in connection with the attachment systems hereof. 
     In a number of embodiments of footwear hereof, an attachment mechanism or system is connected to, for example, the top of the shoe upper or upper section (for example, via at least one anchor point). The attachment system, to which one or more charms are removably attachable, provides an individual with the ability to continually customize their shoes with charms that can be removed, rearranged and replaced depending on a desired style or appearance. A large array of charms may be provided that may, for example, convey an aspect of the user&#39;s life, highlight the user&#39;s favorite sports team, support the user&#39;s favorite charity, show the user&#39;s passions and interests, represent charities, set forth particular colors (for example, pink for breast cancer awareness, holiday colors, etc.), set forth unique and custom designed symbols, represent sororities or fraternities, etc. In addition to traditional charms, ornaments may, for example, include pendants, spacers, clips, safety chains, beads, stackable loops etc. 
     In a number of embodiments, the attachment system hereof includes an extending member which is attached, for example, to the footwear upper at a first anchor point and extends to a second anchor point. The extending member may, for example, be removably attached at one or both of the first anchor point and the second anchor point via, for example, a releasable (or openable/closable) attachment mechanism such as an openable clasp, a screw, a toggle, a button, a snap etc.  FIGS. 1A through 1C  illustrate an embodiment of a shoe  10  including an upper  12  and an attachment system  100  for connecting jewels, ornaments or charms to shoe  10 . An extending member  120  of attachment system  100  is attached to upper  12  via an anchor mechanism  110  at an anchor point. Anchor mechanism  110  may, for example, extend through upper  12  at the anchor point to securely attach anchor mechanism  110  to upper  12  of shoe  10 . In the illustrated embodiment, extending member  120  is also attached to upper  12  at a second anchor point via an openable, releasable or removable anchor or attachment mechanism  130  as described above. Many types of jewelry clasps and/or other attachment mechanisms may be used in the attachment systems hereof as a releasable attachment mechanism. Such releasable attachment mechanisms should provide sufficient stability to remain closed during use of the footwear. Jewels, ornaments or charms  140  (collectively, charms  140 ) are attached to/removable from extending member  120  via, for example, a connector such as a passage extending through a portion of charms  140  when the releasable attachment mechanism is in a released or open state and are securely retained on extending member  120  when the releasable attachment mechanism is in a closed state. As illustrated in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , a passage  142  may be formed through a charm  140 . Alternatively, a connector  141   a  may extend from charm  140  which includes a passage  142   a  therethrough. In the figures hereof, charms  140  are illustrated schematically as cubes. One skilled in the art appreciates that charms  140  may take any form. Attachment system  100  may, for example, further include one or more guide members  150  including a passage through which extending member  120  may pass to, for example, maintain a desired shape and/or position of extending member  120  in the case that extending member  120  is flexible. 
       FIG. 1A  illustrates attachment system  100  in a closed state with a plurality of charms  140  attached thereto.  FIG. 1B  illustrates attachment system  100  in a closed state with no charms  140  attached thereto.  FIG. 1C  illustrates attachment system  100  in an open state wherein charms  140  may be placed in connection with extending member  120  or removed from connection therewith via passage  142  or  142   a . In the illustrated embodiment of  FIGS. 1A through 1C , extending member  120  is a flexible attachment line (for example, a metal wire or stringer). In the illustrated embodiment of  FIGS. 1A through 1C , extending member  120  includes a passage or loop  122  at the second end thereof which cooperates with a cooperating attachment such as a post or openable loop  132  of a releasable attachment mechanism such as a clasp  130  (which is illustrated schematically in  FIGS. 1A through 1C ). 
     The attachment system and anchor points hereof may be made from multiple types of materials, including but not limited to: metal, leather, wax string, or polymeric material/plastic. The bottom or inner part of the anchor point may be attached or embedded into the upper of the shoe. The top or outer part of the anchor point is appropriately functional to connect to the extending member. The extending member may attach to at least one of the anchor points using a releasable attachment mechanism such as a clasp. Releasable attachment mechanisms may be used to allow one more sides/ends of the attachment system to open and close, thereby allowing the charms to be taken on and off of the attachment system, which is integrated to the shoe. 
     The attachment system hereof may be configured in many different manners on footwear. More than one attachment system hereof may be placed in connection with the footwear.  FIG. 3A  illustrates an embodiment of an attachment system  100   a  hereof that is similar to attachment system  100 , but which extends over a shorter distance on the front of a shoe. In  FIGS. 3A through 3I , like elements are numbered similarly to corresponding elements of  FIGS. 1A through 1C , with the designations “a” through “i” added thereto, respectively.  FIG. 3B  illustrates another embodiment of an attachment system hereof. The extending member  120   b  of the attachment system  100   b  of  FIG. 3B  extends in a generally straight or straight line and may be formed from less flexible or stiffer material than extending member  120   b . Extending member  120   b  may, for example, be a straight rigid bar (for example, bead bar) that fits into to the anchor points  110   b  and  130   b  and is secured on an end or both ends by a releasable attachment mechanism  130   b  (for example, a clasp, a screw etc.). As described above, one or more releasable attachment mechanisms allow one or both sides of the attachment system to open and close. 
       FIG. 3C  illustrates an attachment system  100   c  hereof wherein the anchor point(s)  110   c  and releasable attachment mechanism  130   c  are all connected to form a one-piece pinback system. A bottom portion  105   c  of the pinback may be embedded into the leather of shoe  10 C. The upper or top part of the pinback form extending member  120   c , which opens and closes (much like a safety pin) via releasable attachment mechanism  130   c  to allow charms  140   c  to be taken on and off shoe  10   c.    
       FIG. 3D  illustrates an embodiment of an attachment system  100   d  hereof wherein extending member  120   d  is generally looped, oval or circular in shape and attaches to an anchor point  130   d  which is a releasable attachment mechanism. As described above, when releasable attachment mechanism is opened, charms  140   d  may be placed on and taken off extending member  120   d  of attachment system  100   d . Extending member  120   e  of attachment system  100   e  of  FIG. 3E  anchors/attaches to a releasable attachment mechanism  130   e  such as a clasp at a rear of shoe  10   e  and extends through a number of guides or pass-through  150   e  to extend around the entirety of shoe  10   e.    
       FIG. 3F  illustrates an embodiment of an attachment system  100   f  in which an anchor point or a guide/pass-through  150   f  is positioned intermediate between two anchor points  110   f  and  130   f . Extending member  120   f  extends between the two anchor points  110   f  and  130   f , through anchor point or guide/pass-through  150   f . If element  150   f  is an anchor point, each of anchor points  110   f  and  130   f  can be or include a releasable attachment mechanism. If element  150   f  is a guide/pass-through, only one of anchor points  110   f  and  130   f  needs to be or include a releasable attachment mechanism. 
     In  FIG. 3G , extending member  120   g  of attachment system  100   g  is made of a flexible material that can be formed and unformed into a desired shape (for example, in the form/shape of a bow in the illustrated embodiment). At one or both ends of extending member  120   g , extending member  120   g  is attached to an anchor point  110   g  and  130   g . One of anchor points  110   g  and  130   g  is or includes a releasable attachment mechanism (for example, a clasp, screw, toggle, button end cap etc.) that can be detached and then re-attached to allow charms  140   g  to be taken on and off extending member  120   g . A guide member or pass-through  150   g  or a plurality of guide member is/are provided to assist in forming the shape of the bow (or another shape). 
       FIG. 3H  illustrates an embodiment of an attachment system  100   h  in which a releasable attachment mechanism  130   h  in the form of, for example, a snap allows one or both sides of extending member  120   h  to snap on and off, thereby allowing the charms to be placed on and taken off of attachment system  100   h , which is integrated to shoe  10   h.    
       FIG. 3I  illustrates an embodiment of an attachment system  100   i  in which a releasable attachment mechanisms  130   i  and  130   i ′ in the form of, for example, a button  130   i  or a toggle  130   i ′ allows one or both sides of extending member  120   i  to connect onto or disconnect from an anchor point, thereby allowing charms  140   i  to be placed on or taken off of attachment system  100   i , which is integrated to shoe  10   i .  FIG. 3I  also shows that there may be multiple extending members  120   i  which pass through passages in charms  140   i  or to which different charms may be attached, independently. 
       FIGS. 3J and 3K  illustrate that ornaments or charms  140  can be attached individually to, for example, an upper surface of anchor points or releasable attachment mechanisms  134  of attachment systems hereof or to separate anchor points anchored in shoes as described above via cooperating connectors (for example, male and female snap connector or other cooperating connectors as known in the connector arts) to adorn shoes  10 . In that regard, an upper surface of an anchor point may include a female snap portion and a charm  140  may include a male snap portion. 
     As described above, the attachment systems hereof may be attached to footwear of any type, including, for example, shoes, boots, sandals etc.  FIG. 4  schematically illustrates attachment system  100  in operative connection with a variety of footwear articles. Moreover, multiple attachment systems  100  (or other attachment systems hereof) may be attached to a single article of footwear as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
     The foregoing description and accompanying drawings set forth a number of representative embodiments at the present time. Various modifications, additions and alternative designs will, of course, become apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing teachings without departing from the scope hereof, which is indicated by the following claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes and variations that fall within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.