Patent Publication Number: US-2010107446-A1

Title: Shoe accessory

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/111,545 filed on Nov. 5, 2008, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure generally relates to shoes, and, more particularly to shoe accessories for modifying appearance of shoes. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Shoes are generally worn by most of the world&#39;s population to protect their feet. The shoes are worn by individuals of all age group and gender while going for outdoor activities, such for a walk, trekking, and the like. Further, fashion conscious individuals, more specifically women, wear the shoes, which complement their clothing. Furthermore, the shoes may have some decoration thereon, for a specific occasion. In general, a shoe adds to an appearance of an individual. 
     However, shoes tend to be damaged when worn by the individual while walking through grass or through surfaces. Specifically, the shoes may get scuffs or abrasion thereon. Such scuffs and abrasions may often be permanent and may degrade an aesthetic appearance of the shoes. Further, wearing such damaged shoes may attract adverse attention from passersby. 
     Furthermore, with changing fashion, the individual may require to discard the shoes and buy new shoes that complement their clothing. Still further, the decoration on the shoe may not be alterable by the individuals, and therefore, once the occasion is over, such shoes may not be useful for regular use. Buying new shoes for new occasions or to going with new clothing may incur a huge expense for the individuals. 
     Various shoe accessories, such as shoe covers, exist for protecting the shoes from scratches, scuffs, and abrasions. Further, various decorations exist that can be attached with the shoes to be worn on specific occasions. 
     However, such shoe covers have to be worn on upper portions of the shoes while walking through grass or on rough surfaces for protecting the shoes. Covering the shoes with the shoe covers when in use, may diminish an aesthetic appeal of the shoes. Further, the decorations on the shoes may often be permanent and may not be alterable by the individuals by themselves at home. 
     Accordingly, there exists a need to protect shoes from damage, such as scratches, scuffs, and abrasions. Further, there exists a need to modify an appearance of a damaged shoe to maintain an aesthetic appeal of the shoe. Furthermore, there exists a need to provide a shoe accessory for decorating a shoe. Furthermore, there exists a need for individuals to modify an appearance of a shoe by themselves. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the prior art, the general purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a shoe accessory to include all the advantages of the prior art, and to overcome the drawbacks inherent therein. 
     Accordingly, an object of the present disclosure is to protect shoes from damages, such as scratches, scuffs, and abrasions. 
     Another object of the present disclosure is to modify an appearance of a damaged shoe to maintain an aesthetic appeal of the damaged shoe. 
     Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a shoe accessory for decorating a shoe. 
     Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide shoe accessories for individual users to modify appearances of shoes by themselves. 
     In light of the above objects, in one aspect of the present disclosure, a shoe accessory is disclosed. The shoe accessory includes a decorative covering and a peel-off layer. The decorative covering is configured to be attached on a portion of a shoe, and includes a first surface and a second surface. The first surface includes an adhesive for affixing the decorative covering with the portion of the shoe. The second surface includes a decoration. Further, the peel-off layer is bound with the adhesive on the first surface. Peeling off the peel-off layer exposes the adhesive. The exposed adhesive is capable of attaching the decorative covering on the portion of the shoe. 
     In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a method for modifying an appearance of a shoe. The method includes peeling off a peel-off layer from a shoe accessory. The peel-off layer bound with an adhesive on the shoe accessory. Further, the method includes attaching the shoe accessory on a portion of the shoe for modifying the appearance of the shoe. The shoe accessory includes a decorative covering. The decorative covering includes a first surface and a second surface. The first surface includes the adhesive for attaching the decorative covering with the portion of the shoe. The second surface includes a decoration for modifying the appearance of the shoe. 
     In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a shoe is disclosed. The shoe includes a sole, an upper portion, a heel and a decorative covering. The sole includes a top surface and a bottom surface. The upper portion is mounted on the top surface of the sole. The heel is configured on the bottom surface of the sole. Further, the decorative covering is attached on a portion of the shoe. The portion of the shoe includes at least one of the sole, the upper portion and the heel. The decorative covering includes a first surface and a second surface. The first surface includes an adhesive for attaching the decorative covering with the portion of the shoe. The second surface includes a decoration. 
     The decorative covering of the shoe accessory may be attached on the shoe by peeling the peel-off layer and attaching the decorative covering on the portion of the shoe that is damaged, thereby maintaining an aesthetic appeal of the shoe. Further, the decorative covering of the shoe accessory may be used for decorating the shoe. Furthermore, the shoe accessory may be readily available and easy to attach to the shoe, thereby enabling individual users to modify shoe appearance themselves. 
     These together with other aspects of the present disclosure, along with the various features of novelty that characterize the present disclosure, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and form a part of this present disclosure. For a better understanding of the present disclosure, its operating advantages, and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present disclosure will become better understood with reference to the following detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary shoe accessory, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2A  illustrates a perspective view of a shoe with a shoe accessory attached thereon, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2B  illustrates a perspective view of a shoe with a shoe accessory in a floral design configured on an upper portion of the shoe, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2C  illustrates a perspective view of a shoe with a shoe accessory configured on a heel of the shoe, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a flow chart depicting a method for modifying an appearance of a shoe, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the description of several views of the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The exemplary embodiments described herein detail for illustrative purposes are subject to many variations in structure, and design. It should be emphasized, however, that the present disclosure is not limited to a shoe accessory as shown and described. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but these are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present disclosure. In addition, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     The terms “first,” “second,” and the like, herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another, and the terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     The present disclosure provides a shoe accessory that may be utilized by a user to modify appearance of a shoe, hide scuffmarks formed on the shoe, decorate the shoe, and to perform other similar activities. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , an exemplary shoe accessory  100  is illustrated, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The shoe accessory  100  may include a decorative covering  102  and a peel-off layer  104 . The decorative covering  102  is configured to attach on a portion of a shoe (not shown). The decorative covering  102  may include a first surface  106  and a second surface (not shown). The first surface  106  may include an adhesive  106   a  for affixing the decorative covering  102  with the portion of the shoe. The second surface may include a decoration. Further, the peel-off layer  104  is bound with the adhesive  106   a  on the first surface  106 . Peeling off the peel-off layer  104  exposes the adhesive  106   a  on the first surface  106 . The adhesive  106   a  exposed by peeling off the peel-off layer  104  is capable of attaching the decorative covering  102  on the portion of the shoe. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 1 , the peel-off layer  104  may be a protective liner removably adhered to the first surface  106  with the help of the adhesive  106   a.  More specifically, the peel-off layer  104  may be composed of a non-stick material, such as a plastic film, a paper sheet, and the like. However, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that the peel-off layer  104  may be made of any other suitable material known in the art. In use, the peel-off layer  104  may be configured on the first surface  106  such that the peel-off layer  104  prevents the adhesive  106   a  from contacting other surfaces. When the peel-off layer  104  is peeled off, the adhesive  106   a  is exposed and remains on the first surface  106  for attaching with the portion of the shoe. Examples of the adhesive  106   a  may include, but are not limited to, glue and bio-adhesive. However it will be evident to those skilled in the art that any adhesive known in the art may be utilized. 
     The peel-off layer  104  may be configured according to a shape of the decorative covering  102 , such that the peel-off layer  104  conforms to the shape of the decorative covering  102  when adhered to the first surface  106 . 
     As mentioned previously, the peel-off layer  104  may be peeled off to expose the first surface  106  for attaching the decorative covering  102  to the portion of the shoe. Such attachment of the decorative covering  102  to the portion of the shoe is capable of hiding scuffmarks. Further, the attachment of the decorative covering  102  to the portion of the shoe modifies an appearance of the shoe. The portion of the shoe may include at least one of a sole (not shown), a heel (not shown) and an upper portion (not shown) of the shoe. 
     In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the decorative covering  102  is composed of at least one of vinyl and or leather. However, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that any other suitable material known in the art may be used for configuring the decorative covering  102 . Moreover, the decorative covering  102  may be of any size, shape and color. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the decorative covering  102  may be a flame-styled decorative covering, as shown in  FIG. 1 . However, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that the decorative covering  102  may be of any other design and style, such as flowers, butterflies, stars, flags, spider webs, holiday-themes, and the like. Further, the shoe accessory  100  of the present disclosure may be attached on men&#39;s shoes, women&#39;s shoes and children&#39;s shoes. A shoe manufactured with different shoe accessories configured thereon, is depicted in  FIGS. 2A ,  2 B and  2 C. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2A ,  2 B and  2 C, different shoes configured with a variety of decorative coverings are illustrated. Specifically,  FIG. 2A  illustrates a shoe  200  configured with the decorative covering  102  of  FIG. 1 , on an upper portion  204  of the shoe  200 .  FIG. 2B  illustrates a shoe  300  configured with a decorative covering  150  on an upper portion  304  of the shoe  300 . Further,  FIG. 2C  illustrates a shoe  400  configured with a decorative covering  160  on a heel  406  of the shoe  400 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2A , the shoe  200  is configured with the decorative covering  102  of  FIG. 1 , on the upper portion  204  of the shoe  200 . The shoe  200  includes a sole  202 , the upper portion  204 , a heel  206  and the decorative covering  102  (explained in  FIG. 1 ). The sole  202  includes a top surface  202   a  and a bottom surface (not shown). The upper portion  204  is mounted on the top surface  202   a  of the sole  202 . Further, the heel  206  is configured on the bottom surface of the sole  202 . The shoe  200  further includes the decorative covering  102  attached on a portion of the shoe  200 . The portion of the shoe  200  may include the sole  202 , the upper portion  204  and the heel  206 . The decorative covering  102  may include the first surface  106  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) and a second surface  108 . The first surface  106  may include the adhesive  106   a  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) for attaching the decorative covering  102  with the portion of the shoe  200 . Further, the second surface  108  includes a decoration. The decoration may include a design, a pattern, a color, shading, a shape, a texture, and the like. The decorative covering  102  may be capable of modifying an appearance of the shoe  200 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2B , the shoe  300  is illustrated with the decorative covering  150  configured thereon. The shoe  300  may include a sole  302 , an upper portion  304  and a heel  306 . The decorative covering  150  may be of a floral design, as depicted. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that a first surface (not shown) of the decorative covering  150  may be layered with an adhesive, such as the adhesive  106   a,  of the shoe accessory  100  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). Further, a second surface  152  of the decorative covering  150  may include a decoration for decorating the shoe  300 . The decorative covering  150  includes a floral design. However, it will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the decoration on the second surface  152  may be a design, a pattern, a color, shading, a shape, a texture, and the like. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2C , the shoe  400  includes the decorative covering  160  configured on the heel  406  of the shoe  400 . The shoe  400  may include a sole  402 , an upper portion  404 , a heel  406  and a decorative covering  160 . The decorative covering  160  is pre-configured on the heel  406  of the shoe  400  such that a second surface  162  of the decorative covering  160  includes a decoration. The decorative covering  160  is shown to have a polka-dotted pattern. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the decorative covering  160  may be constructed in a similar manner as the decorative covering  102  described in  FIG. 1 . Further, the decorative covering  160  may be removable from the shoe  400 . Specifically, each of the decorative coverings  102 ,  150  and  160  may be removable from the shoes  100 ,  200 ,  300  and  400 , respectively. 
     The shoes  200 ,  300  and  400  depicted in  FIGS. 2A ,  2 B and  2 C may be regular shoes made of leather, rubber, plastic, and the like. However, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that the shoes  200 ,  300  and  400  may be made of other materials known in the art. Further, the decorative covering  102 ,  150  and  160  depicted in  FIGS. 2A ,  2 B and  2 C may be composed of at least one of vinyl and or leather. However, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that any other suitable material may be utilized for the decorative coverings  102 ,  150  and  160 . Further, the decorative coverings  102 ,  150  and  160  are shown as integrally attached with the shoes  200 ,  300  and  400  with the help of an adhesive, such as the adhesive  106   a  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). However, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that any other fastening process, such as stitching, pinning, riveting, and the like, may be utilized to configure the decorative coverings  102 ,  150  and  160  with the shoes  100 ,  200 ,  300  and  400 . A method for attaching a decorative covering, such as the decorative coverings  102 ,  150  and  160  on a shoe is described in  FIG. 3 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , a flowchart depicting a method  500  for modifying an appearance of a shoe is shown, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The method  500  starts at  502 . At  502 , the method  500  may include selecting a shoe accessory, such as the shoe accessory  100  (shown in  FIG. 1 ), for attaching to a portion of a shoe. At  504 , the method  500  may include peeling off a peel-off layer, such as the peel-off layer  104  (shown in  FIG. 1 ), from the shoe accessory. The peel-off layer may be bound with an adhesive on the shoe accessory. Peeling off the peel-off layer may expose the adhesive. The adhesive exposed by peeling may be capable of attaching the decorative covering on the portion of the shoe. The portion of the shoe herein may include at least one of a sole, a heel and an upper portion of the shoe. At  506 , the method  500  may include attaching the shoe accessory on the portion of the shoe for modifying the appearance of the shoe. The method  500  ends at  508 . 
     The method  500  utilizes the shoe accessory for modifying the appearance of the shoe. The method  500  may utilize a decorative covering, such as the decorative covering  102 , the decorative covering  150 , and the decorative covering  160 . The decorative covering may include a first surface and a second surface. The first surface may include the adhesive for affixing the decorative covering with the portion of the shoe. The second surface may include a decoration for modifying the appearance of the shoe. The decorative covering may be made of materials as described above in conjunction with  FIG. 1 . Further, the peel-off layer and the adhesive may be made of materials as described above in conjunction with  FIG. 1 . 
     A shoe accessory, such as the shoe accessory  100 , of the present disclosure offers following advantages. A decorative covering, such as the decorative coverings  102 ,  150  and  160 , of the shoe accessory is capable of being attached to a portion of a shoe for hiding scuffmarks on the shoe. Further, the decorative covering may be capable of modifying an appearance of the shoe. Specifically, the decorative covering may add to an aesthetic appeal of the shoe. Furthermore, the shoe accessory may be utilized by individual users for modifying their shoes, without help from a shoe expert, such as a manufacturer, cobbler, shoe dealer, and the like. Still further, the shoe accessory may be removable, thereby allowing a user to modify appearance of their shoes repeatedly. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present disclosure have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present disclosure to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present disclosure and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present disclosure and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omission and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but such are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present disclosure.