Abstract:
The present invention relates to an ornamental attachment configured to be connected to a shoelace of a shoe, the ornamental attachment comprising a body and one or more brackets mounted to said body, the one or more brackets being configured such that in use a plurality of shoelace sections extend between eyelets of the shoe and the one or more brackets, wherein the one or more brackets are arranged such that in use the shoelace sections extend outwardly away from the body and outwardly away from one another. The present invention further relates to a combination of footwear and the ornamental attachment and to the use of an ornamental attachment for providing an ornament on a piece of footwear.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is the National Stage of International Application No. PCT/NL2008/000174, filed Jul. 10, 2008, the contents of which is incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to an ornamental attachment for footwear such as a shoe. The present invention relates in particular to an ornamental attachment connected to the shoe via the shoelace and configured to display an emblem, a text, or a figure or the like. 
         [0004]    Ornamental attachments are known in the prior art. Emblems are popular items in merchandising or for children. 
         [0005]    2. Prior Art 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,597,198 discloses a shoe decoration which is configured to be attached to a shoe via the shoelace. The shoe decoration comprises a front plate which can display a visual image such as a text or figure. Behind the front plate, a plate 42 is provided which defines a passage 52 through which the shoelace may extend, see FIG. 3 of U.S. Pat. No. 4,597,198. The shoelace section which extends through the passage 452 extends from an eyelet on a left side of the shoe to an eyelet on a right side of the shoe. The shoelace sections thus cross a space between the rows of eyelets. 
         [0007]    The shoe decoration of U.S. Pat. No. 4,597,198 has a drawback in that visually, it is not very attractive. 
       OBJECT OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    It is an object of the invention to provide an ornamental attachment for footwear which provides an alternative to known ornamental attachments. 
         [0009]    It is a further object of the invention to provide a simple and cost effective ornamental attachment for footwear. 
         [0010]    It is a further object of the invention to provide an ornamental attachment for footwear which is visually attractive. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    In order to achieve at least one of the objects, the invention provides an ornamental attachment configured to be connected to a shoe via the shoelace thereof, the ornamental attachment comprising a body and one or more brackets mounted to said body, the one or more brackets being configured such that in use a plurality of shoelace sections extend between eyelets of the shoe and the one or more brackets, wherein the one or more brackets are arranged such that in use a plurality of shoelace sections extend outwardly away from the body and diverge from one another. 
         [0012]    Thus, the shoelace sections form an attractive visual pattern attracting attention and focusing the attention of a viewer on the body of the ornamental attachment. 
         [0013]    The shoelace sections form a visual pattern of lines. The shoelace sections can be likened to rays which diverge from the center which is formed by the body. The lines extend outwardly away from a center which is formed by the ornamental attachment. The shoelace will generally be under some tension, and thus the lines will generally be straight, adding to the visual effect. 
         [0014]    Generally, a shoe is provided with two rows of eyelets or apertures. The two rows of eyelets are spaced apart and define a space between the two rows. In a normal shoe or other footwear, the laces are laced through the eyelets such that the shoe may be tied. The present invention requires that the shoelaces are laced differently and in such a way that the ornamental attachment is connected to the shoe via the shoelace. The shoelace can continue to perform its normal function 
         [0015]    In use, the shoelace extends from an eyelet on the left row through the at least one aperture on the ornamental attachment. From there, the shoelace extends back to a next eyelet on the left row of eyelets on the shoe. From said next eyelet, the shoelace extends back to the aperture or to a next aperture of the ornamental attachment and again back to a next eyelet in the same row. 
         [0016]    In a suitable embodiment, the one or more brackets are arranged such that in use the shoelace sections form a widening pattern. The widening pattern creates an attractive visual effect. 
         [0017]    In a suitable embodiment, the one or more brackets are configured and arranged to accommodate more than two shoelace sections. This allows a real widening pattern to be created. 
         [0018]    In a suitable embodiment, the one or more brackets are configured to support a plurality of shoelace sections extending between eyelets on a left side of the shoe and the one or more brackets, and to support a plurality of shoelace sections extending between eyelets on a right side of the shoe and the one or more brackets. Thus, sections of the shoelace on the left side and sections of the shoelace on the right side may be formed. Both the left and the right shoelace sections diverge. 
         [0019]    In a suitable embodiment, the one or more brackets are arranged such that in use a distance between each shoelace section increases in a direction away from the body. In particular, when the ornamental attachment is positioned between a left row of eyelets and a right row of eyelets of a shoe and laced to the shoe with a shoelace, shoelace sections are defined which extend between the eyelets and the one or more brackets, and a distance between each shoelace section increases in a direction away from the body. In this way, the widening pattern is provided. Because the distance between each shoelace section increases, the shoelace sections diverge from one another. 
         [0020]    In another embodiment, the one or more brackets are arranged such that the shoelace sections extend radially. A radial pattern is a simple and attractive visual pattern. 
         [0021]    Generally, the one or more brackets are constructed such that a shoelace can extend from one eyelet of the shoe to another eyelet of the shoe via the one or more brackets. 
         [0022]    It is possible that the one or more brackets define one or more apertures through which the shoelace can extend. This embodiment allows sturdy fixing of the ornamental attachment to the shoe. 
         [0023]    In another embodiment of the invention, at least one bracket is configured to accommodate multiple shoelace sections, such that multiple shoelace sections extend from the same bracket to different eyelets of the shoe. The sharing of shoelace sections by brackets reduces the total number of brackets and allows a more simple design of the ornamental attachment. 
         [0024]    The ornamental attachment may be flat, thereby allowing a simple construction and cost-effective manufacturing. 
         [0025]    In an embodiment, the one or more brackets extend substantially around an outer circumference of the body. The one or more brackets may extend at a uniform distance from an outer ridge of the body. 
         [0026]    This arrangement causes the shoelace sections to end near the outer ridge of the body. This arrangement further allows a flat configuration of the ornamental attachment. 
         [0027]    In an embodiment, the ornamental attachment comprises a front plate and a ring mounted to the front plate. A ring can be a simple version of the bracket. 
         [0028]    In another embodiment, the one or more brackets are provided behind the body, such that in use the one or more brackets are substantially concealed from a viewer. This embodiment conceals the windings of the shoelace around the one or more brackets from the viewer, such that only the straight portions of the shoelace sections are visible. This adds to the visual effect. 
         [0029]    In a suitable embodiment, in use a ring-like bracket is mounted behind the body. It is also possible that other kinds of brackets are mounted behind the body, such as ring sections or hook-like brackets or other kinds of brackets. 
         [0030]    In a suitable embodiment, the one or more brackets is/are provided as a ring or as a series of subsections of a ring, the ring or subsections of a ring being connected to the body via one bridging member or via a plurality of bridging members. 
         [0031]    In another embodiment, the body comprises a face member which is substantially circular. A circular form provides a simple surface for a graphic image or a text message. 
         [0032]    In another embodiment, the ornamental attachment comprises a left bracket and a right bracket, the left bracket being configured to support shoelace sections extending to eyelets on a left side of the shoe, the right bracket being configured to support shoelace sections extending to a right side of the shoe. This embodiment provides an efficient connection with the shoelace and the shoe. The lacing of the shoelace through the aperture defined by the left and right brackets by the wearer of the shoe is relatively simple. 
         [0033]    In a suitable embodiment, the body has an ornamental form, chosen from a group comprising: a form of an animal, a form of a text, a form of a known object and a fantasy form. These kinds of forms add to the visual effect of the ornamental attachment. 
         [0034]    In another embodiment, the body comprises a flat forward surface, wherein a text, an image, or another visual item is displayed on said surface. 
         [0035]    In another embodiment, the ornamental attachment comprises a plurality of brackets which are hook-like members. Hook-like members are simple and also allow easy connection to the shoe via the shoelace. 
         [0036]    Generally, the one or more brackets are configured to allow the shoelace to extend around each bracket and extend from one eyelet on a left side of the footwear to another eyelet on a left side of the shoe via the bracket and from one eyelet on a right side of the footwear to another eyelet on a right side of the shoe via the bracket. 
         [0037]    The preset invention further relates to a combination of footwear and the ornamental attachment, the ornamental attachment being provided on the footwear in such a way that the shoelace sections form a pattern of lines which extend outwardly away from one another, wherein the ornamental attachment is a center of said visual pattern. 
         [0038]    The present invention further relates to a combination of a shoelace and an ornamental attachment. The shoelace may be specifically designed to match with the ornamental design. For instance, the colors of the shoelace may match the colors of the ornamental shoelace. Other tuning of the shoelace to the ornamental attachment is also possible. 
         [0039]    The present invention further relates to the use of an ornamental attachment for providing an ornament on a piece of footwear. 
         [0040]    The claims and advantages will be more readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description and considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like reference symbols designate like parts, or parts with the same or similar function. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0041]    The invention will be further clarified by the following figures: 
           [0042]      FIG. 1A  shows a view of a shoe comprising the ornamental attachment according to the invention; 
           [0043]      FIG. 1B  shows a section of a shoe having the ornamental attachment of the invention; 
           [0044]      FIG. 2   a  shows an isometric view of the ornamental attachment according to the invention; 
           [0045]      FIG. 2   b  shows a side view of the ornamental attachment according to the invention; 
           [0046]      FIGS. 3   a ,  3   b ,  3   c ,  3   d ,  3   e ,  3   f ,  3   g ,  3   h  and  3   i  show front views of other embodiments of the ornamental attachment according to the invention; 
           [0047]      FIG. 4  shows a front view of another embodiment of the ornamental attachment according to the invention; 
           [0048]      FIG. 5   a  shows an isometric view of the back of the embodiment of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0049]      FIG. 5   b  shows a rear view of the embodiment of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0050]      FIG. 5   c  shows a side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0051]      FIG. 5   d  shows another side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0052]      FIGS. 6   a ,  6   b ,  6   c  and  6   d  show front views of a shoe comprising further embodiments of the ornamental attachment according to the invention; 
           [0053]      FIG. 7  shows a front view of another embodiment of the invention; 
           [0054]      FIG. 8   a  shows a rear view of another embodiment of the invention; 
           [0055]      FIG. 8   b  shows an isometric view of the embodiment of  FIG. 8   a ; and 
           [0056]      FIG. 8   c  shows a side view of the embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0057]    Turning to  FIGS. 1A and 1B , a shoe  20  is shown with an ornamental attachment  10  according to the invention. The ornamental attachment  10  is connected to the shoe  20  via a shoelace  30 . The shoe  20  comprises eyelets  12  for the shoelace  30 . The eyelets  12  are arranged in two rows  14 ,  16  and provided in a left flap  13 A and a right flap  13  B of the shoe  20 . Right row  14  is provided on the right side of the shoe (as viewed in the direction of walking), and left row  16  is provided on the left side of the shoe. Each row  14 ,  16  of eyelets comprises 6 eyelets  12 . 
         [0058]    A part of the shoelace extends between each eyelet  12  and the ornamental attachment  10 . This part is further referred to as a shoelace section  27 . The shoelace sections  27  form a visual pattern. The body  32  forms a center of said visual pattern. The pattern may be a radial pattern. The shoelace sections  27  extend outwardly and away such that a distance  45  between the shoelace sections  27  increases with an increasing distance from the body  32 . Parts of the shoelace  30  are concealed from a viewer, because these parts extend behind a part of the ornamental attachment  10 . 
         [0059]      FIG. 1B  shows how shoelace sections  27 A extend over the upper side of the bracket  22 A,  22   b  and over the upper side of the flaps  13 A,  13 B to the respective eyelets  12 . Other shoelace sections  27   b  extend from underneath the bracket  22 A,  22 B and underneath the flaps  13 A,  13 B to the eyelets  12 . The shoelace sections  27 A may be referred to as upper shoelace sections  27 A. The shoelace sections  27 B may be referred to as lower shoelace sections  27 B. The lower shoelace sections are partly concealed by the brackets  22 A,  22 B, the upper shoelace sections  27 A and the flaps  13 . When the shoelace  30  is wide, the lower shoelace sections  27 B may be completely or almost completely invisible from a viewer, because they are concealed by the upper shoelace sections  27 A. It is also possible that due to the lower position of the lower shoelace sections  27 B, the lower shoelace sections  27 B are less visible or not visible. 
         [0060]    Turning to  FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b , the ornamental attachment  10  comprises a body  32 . The body  32  has a front side  18  which in use is a facing side on which a text, a figure, a portrait or another kind of visual image is shown. The body  32  is circular. Other forms of the body  32  are also possible as will be discussed below. 
         [0061]    The ornamental attachment  10  has two brackets  22   a ,  22   b  which define two apertures  28 . The brackets  22   a ,  22   b  are connected to the body  32  via bridging members  24 . The brackets  22   a ,  22   b  extend around the circumference  33  of the body  32 . The brackets  22   a ,  22   b  form an annular form or a substantially annular form. 
         [0062]    The apertures  28  are configured to allow shoelace sections  27  to be laced through the apertures  28  and extend from an eyelet to the ornamental attachment and back to another eyelet of the shoe  20 . 
         [0063]    Returning to  FIGS. 1A and 1B , at the ornamental attachment, each shoelace section  27  goes over in a next shoelace section  27  via a loop section  29  of the shoelace. The loop sections  29  extend around the bracket  22   a ,  22   b  and through the aperture  28 . The loop sections  29  are curved. The brackets  22   a ,  22 B are configured to accommodate multiple loop sections  29  on the left side and multiple loop sections on the right side. The loop sections  29  define a transition between an upper shoelace section  27 A and a lower shoelace section  27 B. 
         [0064]    In  FIG. 2   b , it is shown that the ornamental attachment  10  has a front side  18 , a rear side  19  and a flank  26 . The ornamental attachment  10  has a thickness  36 . 
         [0065]    Turning to  FIGS. 3   a - 3   i , several variants of the invention are shown.  FIG. 3   a  shows an embodiment with the shape of  FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b  and with a text displayed on the front side  18  of the body  32 . 
         [0066]      FIG. 3   b  shows a variant with a graphic image displayed on the front side  18  of the body  32 . 
         [0067]      FIG. 3   c  shows an embodiment wherein the brackets  22   a ,  22   b  are circular, but wherein the body  32  has a diamond shape. Other shapes of the body  32  are also possible. It is also possible that the brackets  22   a ,  22   b  have a different shape. 
         [0068]      FIG. 3   d  shows an embodiment having six bridging members  24 . 
         [0069]      FIG. 3   e  shows an embodiment of the ornamental attachment  10  having a rectangular form. The brackets  22   a ,  22   b  are straight and extend along a left side and a right side of the body  32 . 
         [0070]      FIG. 3   f  shows an embodiment wherein a square form is provided. The brackets  22   a ,  22   b  are substantially straight and extend along a left side  38   a  and a right side  38   b  of the body  32 . 
         [0071]      FIG. 3   g  shows a star like form of the ornamental attachment  10  of the invention. Both the body  32  and the brackets  22   a ,  22   b  define a substantially star-like form. 
         [0072]      FIG. 3   h  shows an embodiment having a substantially hexagonal form. 
         [0073]      FIG. 3   i  shows a heart-like form, wherein both the body  32  and the bracket  22   a ,  22   b  have a heart-like form. 
         [0074]    Turning to  FIGS. 4 ,  5   a ,  5   b ,  5   c  and  5   d  another embodiment is shown, wherein the body  32  is provided in front of the brackets  22   a ,  22   b . This provides an increased visual effect, because the shoelace sections  27  appear to be protruding from out of the body  32 , when viewed from above. 
         [0075]      FIG. 5   a  shows that the brackets  22   a ,  22   b  are connected to the body  32  via bridging members  24  which extend from a back side  19  of the body  32 . The brackets  22   a ,  22   b  extend coplanar to the body  32  at a distance  40  to the body  32 . The brackets  22   a ,  22   b  are formed as semi-circles, but other forms are also possible. 
         [0076]      FIG. 5   b  shows that the brackets  22   a ,  22   b  extend at a distance  42  from the outer ridge  38  of the body  32 . In one embodiment, this distance allows a bend in the shoelace  30  around the bracket to be concealed by the body  32  from the viewer. Further, a short section of shoelace may also be concealed from the viewer. The shoelace sections  27  which are visible to the viewer may be straight. The visible shoelace sections may be spaced apart near the outer ridge  38  of the body, and diverge further from one another as the distance between the shoelace sections from the outer ridge  38  increases. 
         [0077]      FIGS. 6   a,    6   b,    6   c ,  6   d  show other embodiments of the ornamental attachment  10  of the invention having brackets provided behind the body  32 , wherein  FIG. 6   a  shows a star-like body  32 .  FIG. 6   b  shows a body  32  having a form of a flower.  FIG. 6   c  shows a body  32  having a substantially circular form.  FIG. 6   d  shows a body  32  having a combination of a circular form and a text-form. Other forms are also possible. 
         [0078]      FIG. 7  shows an embodiment having multiple brackets  22   a - 22   f  arranged substantially about the body  32 . 
         [0079]      FIGS. 8   a - 8   c  show an embodiment having brackets of a different form. The brackets  22  are hook-like members protruding from the back side  19  of the body  32 . It is also possible that the hook-like brackets extend outwardly from the outer ridge  38  of the body  32 . It is also possible that each bracket defines an eyelet through which the shoelace is to be laced. 
         [0080]    Other forms of the brackets  22  are also possible in order to create the same visual pattern. 
         [0081]    It will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that numerous other changes in the details and the arrangement of the parts may be varied over considerable range without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the claims.