Patent Publication Number: US-2013247420-A1

Title: Shoes With Interchangeable Tag CHoices (SWITCH)

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD AND INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to the technical field of the fashion industry. More particularly, the invention is in the field of shoe fashion. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Conventional shoes typically have designs, labels, and colors that are permanently affixed and unchangeable. It is difficult to alter these parts (design, label, and colors) of the shoes. The difficulty arises because of the stitching used to hold these items to the shoe. Changing the colors of the shoes or parts of the shoes is difficult because the materials used to make shoes do not allow color changes without paint or dyes. Altering shoes requires skill and craftsmanship with the process being time consuming and expensive. Risk of ruining the shoes is also a factor when attempting to alter a pair of shoes. The shoe industry currently offers personally customized shoes to meet consumer demands to match preferences in style, design, and color. Once manufactured, the shoes remain difficult to alter. 
     Shoe charms, clips, or jewelry offer options to decorate shoes. The shoe charms, clips, or jewelry remain bulky and awkward to affix to shoes because of weight, size, or shape. Shoe charms, clips, or jewelry do not fully allow normal athletic activities because of constant movement of the temporary fixtures and increased risk of losing the fixtures. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The basis for this invention is to offer a pair of shoes with the capability to use interchangeable pieces in the form of patches (tags). The pair of shoes will allow the attachment of patches (tags) because of designated stick-on areas of the shoes. These stick-on areas will come in many different sizes, shapes, and in different locations on the shoes. The concept of the stick-on shoe design will allow shoe owners to create and adjust their personal shoe fashion style on a recurring basis. Similar to changing clothes, shoes with stick-on surfaces can be altered anytime too. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of the invention showing an area of the shoe with a circular stick-on surface (white circle area). 
         FIG. 2  is a representation showing the options of attaching different stick-on patches to the shoe. 
         FIG. 3  is a side view showing the option to include the stick-on area on different parts of the shoe (white circle on the shoe tongue in this picture). 
         FIG. 4  illustrates different styles, shapes, and locations for the stick-on surface area of the shoes (black patches) 
         FIG. 5  demonstrates including multiple stick-on surfaces on the shoe (side of shoe and shoe tongue). 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Referring to the invention in more detail,  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  represent the concept on the invention. The white circle area labeled number  1  in  FIG. 1  illustrates an area of the shoe that allows a removable and interchangeable piece (patch) to be affixed to the shoe. The surface that allows removable pieces to be attached can be hook and loop fasteners, magnetic pieces, or another variation of stick-on materials. 
     In  FIG. 2 , the pieces labeled  1  through  5  represent patches of different design or color to be affixed to the shoes. For instance, patch  1  can be a design with the color blue and patch  2  a design with the color red. Patch  3  can depict a picture, patch  4  can include numbers or words, and patch  5  can show symbols. The patches provide unlimited options to alter the appearance of the shoes. The patches bond with the stick-on surface area on the shoe ( FIG. 1 , label number  1 ) to create a different appearance and fashion statement. 
       FIG. 3  demonstrates the ability to place a stick-on surface on different parts of the shoe. Label number  1  of  FIG. 3  shows a circular stick-on area (white circle) on the upper portion of the shoe tongue. Multiple patches can be used here to create different appearances and fashion statements much like those referenced in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 4  displays variations to the design of the stick-on surface of the shoe. In label number  1 , a circular stick-on area (black circle) on the side of the shoe accommodates circular patches. Label number  2  provides a star-shaped stick-on area (black star) for star-shaped patches. Label number  3  shows a polygon stick-on surface area on the side of the shoe for attaching patches. Label number  4  displays a square stick-on area for the shoe tongue. The pictures in  FIG. 4  exhibit variations of possible designs using stick-on surfaces for shoes. The main point is to demonstrate that the design of the stick-on surface of the shoe is not limited to any particular shape, size, or area. The stick-on surface can be used for attaching shoe labels as well. 
       FIG. 5  identifies the use of multiple areas to apply the stick-on surfaces of the shoe. Label number  1  points out two different locations (the side and tongue) on the same shoe that can be used for adding patches. Any area of the shoe can be used as a stick-on area of the shoe and is not limited to the two locations shown in  FIG. 5 .