Patent Publication Number: US-8991077-B1

Title: Method to display a foot ornamentation system

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE 
     This application claims priority to U.S. non-provisional application Ser. No. 12/346,275 filed Dec. 30, 2008 as a continuation-in-part, and U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/058,922 filed Jun. 5, 2008, the specification of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Bodily ornamentation or jewelry has been worn by humans for thousands of years and has been made from decorative items such as gemstones, precious metals, beads, or shells. Articles of clothing and more specifically, footwear have integrated ornamentation throughout the years similar to that used in jewelry as a means of style. In attempting to keep up with new styles and trends that emerge each season, a person can invest large sums of money in a versatile shoe collection. This presents issues not only of cost, but storage issues relating to acquiring a large volume of shoes. The present invention allows a person to achieve a wide variety of different styles by enabling the person to transform the style of a basic pair of shoes by using a method to display a foot ornamentation system. This application claims priority to U.S. non-provisional application Ser. No. 12/729,699 filed Mar. 23, 2010 as a continuation-in-part, the specification of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention features a method to display a foot ornamentation system. In some embodiments, the method comprises obtaining a foot ornamentation system that comprises a bottom band constructed from an elastomeric material for compressing the system snugly against a foot. In some embodiments, the bottom band is stretchable for expansion to be placed around an end of a foot. In some embodiments, the bottom band is flexible for conforming to a contour of a foot bottom. In some embodiments, the bottom band comprises a low profile. 
     In some embodiments, the system comprises a first side panel that is flexible for conforming to a contour of a foot side. In some embodiments, the first side panel comprises a low profile. In some embodiments, the system comprises a second side panel that is flexible for conforming to a contour of a foot side. In some embodiments, the second side panel comprises a low profile. 
     In some embodiments, the system comprises a decorative member with an interior surface that comprises a smooth profile for contact with a foot top surface. In some embodiments, the decorative member interior surface comprises a non-slip surface for interfacing with the foot top surface. 
     In some embodiments, the method comprises donning the system by expanding an interior open area of the system via the stretchable bottom band then sliding over an end of a foot into a first position. In some embodiments, in the first position the decorative member is located on a foot top surface. In some embodiments, the method comprises donning footwear with an open top that allows the system to be displayed. 
     Any feature or combination of features described herein are included within the scope of the present invention provided that the features included in any such combination are not mutually inconsistent as will be apparent from the context, this specification, and the knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the art. Additional advantages and aspects of the present invention are apparent in the following detailed description and claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a top view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a bottom view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a view of the present invention worn on a foot. 
         FIG. 6  is a view of the present invention worn on a foot. 
         FIG. 7  is a view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Following is a list of elements corresponding to a particular element referred to herein:
           100  Foot ornamentation system     110  System interior open area     120  System circumference     130  Anklet     200  Bottom band     210  Bottom band first end     220  Bottom band second end     230  Bottom band exterior surface     240  Bottom band interior surface     250  Bottom band thickness     260  Bottom band length     300  First side panel     310  First side first end     320  First side second end     330  First side exterior surface     340  First side interior surface     350  First side thickness     400  Second side panel     410  Second side first end     420  Second side second end     430  Second side exterior surface     440  Second side interior surface     450  Second side thickness     500  Decorative member     510  Decorative member first end     520  Decorative member second end     530  Decorative member exterior surface     540  Decorative member interior surface     550  Decorative member thickness     560  Extension component     600  Stitching     610  Attachment component       

     Referring now to  FIG. 1-7 , the present invention features a method to display a foot ornamentation system ( 100 ). In some embodiments, the method comprises obtaining a foot ornamentation system ( 100 ) that comprises a bottom band ( 200 ) having a bottom band first end ( 210 ), a bottom band second end ( 220 ), a bottom band exterior surface ( 230 ), and a bottom band interior surface ( 240 ). In some embodiments, the bottom band ( 200 ) is constructed from an elastomeric material for compressing the system ( 100 ) snugly against a foot. In some embodiments, the bottom band ( 200 ) is stretchable for expansion to be placed around an end of a foot. In some embodiments, the bottom band ( 200 ) is slid into position in a middle region of the foot posterior a ball of the foot. In some embodiments, the bottom band ( 200 ) is flexible for conforming to a contour of a foot bottom. In some embodiments, the bottom band ( 200 ) comprises a low profile. 
     In some embodiments, the system comprises a first side panel ( 300 ) having a first side first end ( 310 ), a first side second end ( 320 ), a first side exterior surface ( 330 ), and a first side interior surface ( 340 ). In some embodiments, the first side panel ( 300 ) is flexible for conforming to a contour of a foot side. In some embodiments, the first side panel ( 300 ) comprises a low profile. 
     In some embodiments, the system comprises a second side panel ( 400 ) having a second side first end ( 410 ), a second side second end ( 420 ), a second side exterior surface ( 430 ), and a second side interior surface ( 440 ). In some embodiments, the second side panel ( 400 ) is flexible for conforming to a contour of a foot side. In some embodiments, the second side panel ( 400 ) comprises a low profile. 
     In some embodiments, the system comprises a decorative member ( 500 ) having a decorative member first end ( 510 ), a decorative member second end ( 520 ), a decorative member exterior surface ( 530 ), and a decorative member interior surface ( 540 ). In some embodiments, the decorative member interior surface ( 540 ) comprises a smooth profile for contact with a foot top surface. In some embodiments, the decorative member interior surface ( 540 ) comprises a non-slip surface for interfacing with the foot top surface. In some embodiments, the decorative member interior surface ( 540 ) aids in maintaining placement of the system ( 100 ). In some embodiments, the decorative member interior surface ( 540 ) aids in maintaining placement of the system ( 100 ) on the foot. 
     In some embodiments, the bottom band first end ( 210 ) is disposed on and secured to the first side second end ( 320 ) via stitching ( 600 ). In some embodiments, the bottom band second end ( 220 ) is disposed on and secured to the second side second end ( 420 ) via stitching ( 600 ). 
     In some embodiments, the decorative member first end ( 510 ) is disposed on and secured to the first side first end ( 310 ) via an attachment component ( 610 ). In some embodiments, the decorative member second end ( 520 ) is disposed on and secured to the second side first end ( 410 ) via an attachment component ( 610 ). 
     In some embodiments, the first side panel ( 300 ) comprises a first side thickness ( 350 ) greater than a bottom band thickness ( 250 ). In some embodiments, the second side panel ( 400 ) comprises a second side thickness ( 450 ) greater than the bottom band thickness ( 250 ). In some embodiments, the decorative member ( 500 ) comprises a decorative member thickness ( 550 ) greater than the bottom band thickness ( 250 ). 
     In some embodiments, the method comprises donning the system ( 100 ) by expanding a system interior open area ( 110 ) via the stretchable bottom band ( 200 ) then sliding over an end of a foot into a first position. In some embodiments, the system interior open area ( 110 ) is defined by an area bordered by the bottom band ( 200 ), the first side panel ( 300 ), the second side panel ( 400 ) and the decorative member ( 500 ). In some embodiments, in the first position the decorative member ( 500 ) is located on a foot top surface. 
     In some embodiments, the system comprises donning footwear with an open top that allows the system ( 100 ) to be displayed. 
     In some embodiments, a foot ornamentation system ( 100 ) for use with an open top shoe or sandal comprises a bottom band ( 200 ) having a bottom band first end ( 210 ), a bottom band second end ( 220 ), a bottom band exterior surface ( 230 ), and a bottom band interior surface ( 240 ). In some embodiments, the bottom band ( 200 ) is constructed from an elastomeric material for compressing the system ( 100 ) snugly against a foot. In some embodiments, the bottom band ( 200 ) is stretchable for expansion to be placed around an end of a foot. In some embodiments, the bottom band ( 200 ) is flexible for conforming to a contour of a foot bottom. In some embodiments, the bottom band ( 200 ) comprises a low profile. 
     In some embodiments, the system comprises a first side panel ( 300 ) having a first side first end ( 310 ), a first side second end ( 320 ), a first side exterior surface ( 330 ), and a first side interior surface ( 340 ). In some embodiments, the first side panel ( 300 ) is flexible for conforming to a contour of a foot side. In some embodiments, the first side panel ( 300 ) comprises a low profile. 
     In some embodiments, the system comprises a second side panel ( 400 ) having a second side first end ( 410 ), a second side second end ( 420 ), a second side exterior surface ( 430 ), and a second side interior surface ( 440 ). In some embodiments, the second side panel ( 400 ) is flexible for conforming to a contour of a foot side. In some embodiments, the second side panel ( 400 ) comprises a low profile. 
     In some embodiments, the system comprises a decorative member ( 500 ) having a decorative member first end ( 510 ), a decorative member second end ( 520 ), a decorative member exterior surface ( 530 ), and a decorative member interior surface ( 540 ). In some embodiments, the decorative member interior surface ( 540 ) comprises a smooth profile for contact with a foot top surface. In some embodiments, the decorative member interior surface ( 540 ) comprises a non-slip surface for interfacing with the foot top surface. 
     In some embodiments, the bottom band first end ( 210 ) is disposed on and secured to the first side second end ( 320 ) via stitching ( 600 ). In some embodiments, the bottom band second end ( 220 ) is disposed on and secured to the second side second end ( 420 ) via stitching ( 600 ). 
     In some embodiments, the decorative member first end ( 510 ) is disposed on and secured to the first side first end ( 310 ) via an attachment component ( 610 ). In some embodiments, the decorative member second end ( 520 ) is disposed on and secured to the second side first end ( 410 ) via an attachment component ( 610 ). 
     In some embodiments, the first side panel ( 300 ) comprises a first side thickness ( 350 ) greater than a bottom band thickness ( 250 ). In some embodiments, the second side panel ( 400 ) comprises a second side thickness ( 450 ) greater than the bottom band thickness ( 250 ). In some embodiments, the decorative member ( 500 ) comprises a decorative member thickness ( 550 ) greater than the bottom band thickness ( 250 ). 
     In some embodiments, the attachment component ( 610 ) is a rivet. In some embodiments, the attachment component ( 610 ) is removable and replaceable. In some embodiments, the attachment component ( 610 ) is removable for removing the decorative member ( 500 ). 
     In some embodiments, a first decorative member ( 500 ) is removable and replaceable with a second decorative member ( 500 ). 
     In some embodiments, the decorative member ( 500 ) comprises an extension component ( 560 ). In some embodiments, the extension component ( 560 ) extends out and away from the decorative member ( 500 ) in a first direction toward an ankle of a wearer. In some embodiments, the extension component ( 560 ) attaches to an anklet ( 130 ) worn by the wearer around the ankle. In some embodiments, the decorative member ( 500 ), the extension component ( 560 ), and the anklet ( 130 ) comprise unitary construction. 
     In some embodiments, the bottom band ( 200 ) comprises a bottom band length ( 260 ) about equal to a combined length of the first side panel ( 300 ), the second side panel ( 400 ), and the decorative member ( 500 ). In some embodiments, the bottom band ( 200 ) comprises a bottom band length ( 260 ) about equal to one-half the system circumference ( 120 ). In some embodiments, the bottom band length ( 260 ) is less than one-half the system circumference ( 120 ). In some embodiments, the length of the decorative member is less than one-half the system circumference ( 120 ). In some embodiments, the length of the decorative member is greater than one-half the system circumference ( 120 ). In some embodiments, the first side panel ( 300 ), the second side panel ( 400 ), and the decorative member ( 500 ) comprise unitary construction. In some embodiments, the first side panel ( 300 ), the second side panel ( 400 ), and the decorative member ( 500 ) are a single panel. 
     As used herein, the term “about” refers to plus or minus 10% of the referenced number. For example, an embodiment wherein the decorative member is about 5 inches in length includes a decorative member that is between 4.5 and 5.5 inches in length. 
     The disclosures of the following U.S. Patents are incorporated in their entirety by reference herein: U.S. Pat. No. 469,449; U.S. Pat. No. 5,092,067; 
     Various modifications of the invention, in addition to those described herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description. Such modifications are also intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. Each reference cited in the present application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     Although there has been shown and described the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made thereto which do not exceed the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, the scope of the invention is only to be limited by the following claims. 
     The reference numbers recited in the below claims are solely for ease of examination of this patent application, and are exemplary, and are not intended in any way to limit the scope of the claims to the particular features having the corresponding reference numbers in the drawings.