Patent Publication Number: US-8539653-B2

Title: Footwear accessory

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This is a continuation of Ser. No. 11/286,701, filed Nov. 22, 2005, published as US2007/0113387, incorporated herein by reference, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,614,126. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Field 
     This relates to accessories for shoes, such as straps for mules. 
     SUMMARY 
     Accessories for footwear can include an upper or over portion and a lower or an under portion, where the over portion extends over the wearer&#39;s foot and the under portion extends under the shoe. The over portion and the under portion may be secured together at corresponding ends of each of the portions, forming a closed circuit, closed loop or endless strip. The over portion and under portion can take a number of configurations. 
     In one example of the footwear accessory, the accessory may include a strap, band or other continuous or endless element, hereinafter referred to as a strap. The strap includes an over portion for extending over the typically bare foot of the wearer. The over portion has ends secured to respective ends of the under portion. The under portion is preferably clear and may be a different material and/or different appearance from the over portion. In one example of the accessory, the accessory is not fixed to the shoe. The characteristics of the material of the strap help to hold the strap in place, for example a resiliently flexible material. 
     In another example of a footwear accessory, the accessory may include a strap having an upper or over portion and a lower or under portion where the under portion is formed from a clear flexible material. Preferably, the under portion is translucent to a casual observer so that the shoe is visible under the under portion, for example giving the appearance of no under-support. 
     In a further example of a footwear accessory, the accessory has a strap having a first portion formed from a resilient and flexible fabric material. The first portion is secured at respective ends to corresponding ends of a second portion that is clear. The second portion is also preferably flexible, for example to allow the second portion to conform to the underside of a shoe. In one example, the first portion has a width that is approximately the same as a width of the second portion. Additionally, the width is substantially less than the perimeter length of the accessory. 
     In an additional example, a footwear accessory is formed from first and second strap elements, each of which are formed from flexible materials. The second strap element is formed from a polyvinyl chloride material, and may be formed from a double polished clear PVC. 
     In another example, a shoe accessory can be assembled by providing a length of resilient and flexible fabric material and securing respective ends of the material to corresponding ends of a clear PVC element to form a continuous strap. The resilient and flexible fabric material and PVC element can have approximately the same width, and the length of the clear PVC element can be approximately the same as the perimeter of the underside of the shoe with which the accessory is to be worn. 
     In a further example, a shoe accessory can be worn by placing a clear portion of the accessory under the shoe and positioning an upper portion of the shoe accessory across a portion of the wearer&#39;s foot. The upper portion can be positioned over the foot as the foot is being placed into the shoe or after the foot is placed into the shoe. In another example, part of the upper portion can be positioned around an ankle of the wearer. In another example, the shoe accessory is secured into a figure-8 configuration, such as by tacking, and one loop with the clear portion placed in front of a heel of the shoe and behind the wearer&#39;s heel and the other loop around the wearer&#39;s ankle. 
     These and other examples are set forth more fully below in conjunction with drawings, a brief description of which follows. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side elevation view showing a wearer&#39;s foot in a strap less shoe, in this example a mule, and a removable accessory strap. 
         FIG. 2  is a side elevation view showing a wearer&#39;s foot in a mule with another example of an accessory strap. 
         FIG. 3  is a side elevation view showing a wearer&#39;s foot in a mule with a further example of an accessory strap. 
         FIG. 4  is a plan view of the accessory strap shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a plan view of the accessory strap shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 6  is a plan view of the accessory strap shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic and plan view of a portion of the accessory shown in  FIG. 4  showing the cut of a decorative portion of the accessory and stitching pattern. 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic and side elevation view of a securement or joinder area between two portions of an accessory strap. 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic cross-sectional view of a decorative portion of the accessory strap of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     This specification taken in conjunction with the drawings sets forth examples of apparatus and methods incorporating one or more aspects of the present inventions in such a manner that any person skilled in the art can make and use the inventions. The examples provide the best modes contemplated for carrying out the inventions, although it should be understood that various modifications can be accomplished within the parameters of the present inventions. 
     Examples of shoe accessories and of methods of making and using the shoe accessories are described. Depending on what feature or features are incorporated in a given structure or a given method, benefits can be achieved in the structure or the method. These and other benefits will become more apparent with consideration of the description of the examples herein. However, it should be understood that not all of the benefits or features discussed with respect to a particular example must be incorporated into a shoe accessory or method in order to achieve one or more benefits contemplated by these examples. Additionally, it should be understood that features of the examples can be incorporated into a shoe accessory or method to achieve some measure of a given benefit even though the benefit may not be optimal compared to other possible configurations. For example, one or more benefits may not be optimized for a given configuration in order to achieve cost reductions, efficiencies or for other reasons known to the person settling on a particular product configuration or method. 
     Examples of a number of shoe accessories and of methods of making and using the shoe accessories are described herein, and some have particular benefits in being used together. However, even though these apparatus and methods are considered together at this point, there is no requirement that they be combined, used together, or that one component or method be used with any other component or method, or combination. Additionally, it will be understood that a given component or method could be combined with other structures or methods not expressly discussed herein while still achieving desirable results. 
     One example of a shoe accessory  50  ( FIGS. 1 and 4 ) includes an upper portion  52  and a lower portion  54 . The upper portion includes a first end portion  56  and a second end portion  58  ( FIG. 4 ) with a relatively continuous (and uniformly-sized) portion in between. The upper portion may take the form of a strap, band, strip or other linear element whose length is preferably substantially greater than the width. The upper portion will hereafter be termed a strap, but it is understood that the upper portion can have other configurations besides the specific examples provided herein. 
     The upper strap  52  in the examples described herein are formed from an internal band of elastic  60  to which is sewn or otherwise secured a Lycra fabric or other resilient and flexible fabric  62  ( FIG. 9 ). The fabric  62  preferably encircles or otherwise surrounds the length of the elastic band  60  (though not necessarily the ends), and is approximately the same length as the elastic band  60  in their respective relaxed states. The fabric  62  may be a decorative fabric, a fabric selected for comfort or other material as desired. In another example, the upper strap  52  can be a clear material, such as a clear plastic sufficiently flexible and preferably resilient to fit comfortably around the ankle or the corresponding portion of the foot (such as in the examples of  FIGS. 2 and 3 ). An outer layer or cover can be omitted if desired. 
     A lower portion  54  is a strap, band, strip or other linear element. The lower portion will be hereinafter referred to as the strap  54 . The lower strap  54  is a clear strap so that the strap appears translucent or transparent to a casual observer. As a result, the lower strap  54  appears invisible, and the features of the shoe under the strap  54  are visible through the strap. Therefore, the appearance of the shoe accessory in this example is that there is little if anything keeping the accessory in place from under the shoe. However, the characteristics of the upper portion being flexible and resilient help to hold the accessory in place relative to the shoe and wearer&#39;s foot, and the lower strap  54  holds the strap  50  in place from below the shoe. In the present example, the lower strap  54  follows the contour under the arch  66  of the shoe, immediately forward of the heel  68 . The remainder of the lower loop  70  of the strap  50  extends upward from the sole  72  of the shoe and behind the wearer&#39;s ankle where the upper strap chris-crosses at the tacking point  64 . The upper loop  74  encircles the wearer&#39;s ankle. In this example, the accessory follows a path around part of the shoe, part of the wearer&#39;s foot and around the wearer&#39;s ankle, approximately conforming to be adjacent surfaces. The elastic (or other resilient material) in the elastic band  60  and any resilient characteristic in the fabric  62  helps to position the accessory. Attachment to the shoe is not necessary. The length of the strap  54  is preferably substantially greater than the width, and has a width that is approximately the same as the width of the upper portion. 
     In the present example of the accessory  50 , the accessory is secured into an endless figure-8 configuration ( FIG. 4 ). In the present example, the figure-8 configuration is obtained through tacking or other securement  64 , applied generally through the centers of the two sides of strip overlapping each other. The tacking can be applied either before or after the lower strap  54  is secured. No buckles or other releasable closures are used in these examples. 
     In the configuration of the accessory  50  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 , the first and second ends  56  and  58  of the upper strap  52  are cut at an angle as represented at  74  in  FIG. 7 . The angle is selected so as to approximate as closely as possible the angle of the sole  72  relative to the strap  50  where the accessory extends adjacent the sole. The lower strap  54  has a square end so that the angle  74  is also at an angle to the square end of the lower strap  54 . 
     Each of the first and second ends of the upper strap  52  are secured to corresponding ends of the lower strap  54  through stitching or other means. As represented in the schematic of  FIG. 7 , a first row of stitching  76  extends substantially transverse to the length of the upper and lower straps  52  and  54 , preferably perpendicular to the length of the straps. The first row of stitching  76  preferably extends transverse to the lower strap  54  to reduce the possibility of tearing of the material of the lower strap. The free end of the upper strap  52  is also stitched to the lower strap  54  through stitching  78 . The stitching  78  preferably extends parallel to the cut end of the upper strap  52 . 
     During assembly, one end  56  of the upper strap  52  is secured to the corresponding end of the lower strap  54  through the stitching  78  ( FIG. 8  schematically showing end portions of the upper and lower straps). The stitching  78  is back stitched while the adjacent ends are directed in the same direction. The back stitching  78  is positioned about 1/16 or 1/32 of an inch from the free end  80  of the lower strap. The lower strap is then folded or bent back and the stitching  78  front stitched to secure the free end  82  of the upper strap to the lower strap  54 . The left and right sides of the strap (relative to the wearer&#39;s foot) will be substantial mirror images of each other. During assembly, one or the other of the upper and lower straps is twisted 360 degrees about a longitudinal axis before the corresponding ends are secured together. This permits the back crossing while still having each portion of the strap lying flat. 
     In a further example of a shoe accessory, a front crossing strap  84  ( FIGS. 2 and 5 ) is configured and assembled substantially similar to the back-crossing strap  50  described with respect to  FIGS. 1 and 4  while omitting the tacking  64  ( FIG. 4 ). The front crossing strap  84  includes an upper strap  86 , which may be but need not be substantially identical to the upper strap  52 , and a lower strap  88  preferably substantially identical to the lower strap  54 . The strap  84  is formed as a continuous loop with one or the other of the upper and lower straps twisted 360 degrees before the corresponding ends are secured together. Therefore, the front crossing strap during use will lie flat against the adjacent surfaces of the shoe, the wearer&#39;s foot or the ankle. The ends are preferably secured together first by back stitching and then front stitching, as described with respect  FIG. 8 , and the lower strap preferably has square ends. The upper strap ends are preferably cut at an angle approximating the angle of the sole of the shoe relative to the strap where the strap  84  crosses the sole. The construction and the configuration of the components of the upper and lower straps in this example are the same as those described with respect to the strap  50 . While the Lycra layer of material can be omitted, use of different patterns, configurations and decorative features in or as part of the Lycra material around the elastic strip  60  allows easy manufacture of a large number of straps having different appearance. Because the straps are not fixed to the shoe and are easily removable, straps of different styles, colors and other decorative features can be easily substituted for one another. Additionally, with the front crossing configuration, one size of strap can easily fit many different wearers. 
     In another example of a shoe accessory, a foot strap  90  ( FIGS. 3 and 6 ) includes an upper strap  92  and a lower strap  94 . The foot strap  90  is configured and assembled substantially similar to the back-crossing strap  50  and the front crossing strap  84  except that the strap  90  is a continuous loop, without twist, without any tacking, and the ends of the upper strap  92  are cut substantially square or transverse to the length of the strap. The upper strap includes an elastic portion and an outer fabric covering, and the lower portion  94  is preferably formed from double polished clear polyvinyl chloride. The corresponding ends are preferably secured together through a back stitch and then a front stitch. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the lower portion conforms to the underside of the arch of the shoe, forward of the heel and the upper portion extends over the wearer&#39;s arch. 
     In each of the examples, the elastic strip is preferably half-inch flat knit elastic such as style No. 2222 from State Narrow Fabrics. The Lycra or other covering, if present, encircles the elastic, and they are assembled in the desired lengths using a 3 threaded over lock stitching, such as may be done with a Union Special Mark IV 39-500 machine. The upper straps may be configured in a manner similar to that used with bathing suit straps or the like. The length of the upper strap in the front and back crossover straps may range from 12 to 15 inches, and possibly more or less depending on the wearer, any decorative features and the configuration of any Lycra or other covering. For example, a covering with some decorations, such as rhinestones, metal or other components may suggest longer straps. A number of applications will have the upper straps 11 or 12 to 14 inches long. The strap of  FIG. 3  is about eight inches long. 
     Also in each of the examples, the lower strap is a ½ inch×4 inch, 16 gauge, double polished clear PVC such as that offered by PVC Tech Corp. under their part number DPCLR016-54-L-CM. Other gauges such as 18 gauge or 20 gauge can be used, but 16 gauge is preferred. The lower strap is flexible and slightly resilient, though not as resilient as elastic, and the length may range from two inches to five inches, more or less. The lower strap is attached to the upper strap through a single needle lock stitch machine, approximately 12-14 stitches per inch. The needles are preferably 36 needles but may be 40 needle equipment, but the range may be between 32 and 40, more or less. The thread used is preferably a Tek-40 poly-cotton thread. 
     Having thus described several exemplary implementations, it will be apparent that various alterations and modifications can be made without departing from the concepts discussed herein. Such alterations and modifications, though not expressly described above, are nonetheless intended and implied to be within the spirit and scope of the inventions. Accordingly, the foregoing description is intended to be illustrative only.