Abstract:
A shoelace cover incorporating an interchangeable fashion panel for covering the shoelaces of a gym shoe. The shoelace cover is secured to the shoe by a number of straps threaded through slots in the shoelace cover. A strap secured to each side of the gym shoe includes a loop and hook material such that the straps can be disengaged and the shoelace cover can be drawn back to expose the shoelaces of the shoe. The fashion panel is attached to the shoelace cover by a loop and hook material such that at the whim of the shoe wearer, the fashion panel can be replaced by other fashion panels to convey a fashion statement.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates generally to a decorative shoelace cover for a shoe and, more particularly, to a removable shoelace cover for a shoe used in association with a series of decorative fashion panels each being separately selectively engagable to the shoelace cover in order to convey a wide range of fashion statements. 
     2. Discussion of the Related Art 
     As is well understood, the main purpose of footwear is to offer a certain amount of protection for the feet of a wearer against the rigors of certain special or everyday activities. Manufacturers and designers of footwear typically incorporate a substantial amount of research and development in the production of footwear so that the footwear not only provides the desirable level of protection, but also provides a desirable level of comfort for the wearer and durability of the footwear. Many criteria go into the production of footwear in order to arrive at an acceptable product with at least these design criteria in mind. Footwear designed for particular activities may require additional design concerns. For example, athletic footwear would be designed in accordance with the special stresses placed on the footwear with respect to the particular athletic activities. Different concerns may be important for other types of footwear, such as for casual activities or for dress up occasions. The types of footwear designed for a particular occasion or activity is virtually limitless. 
     The factors going into the important concerns of comfort and durability when designing and producing footwear is generally only half the story. The other half concerns the aesthetics or fashionableness of the footwear. Accordingly, designers and manufacturers of footwear are aware of appearance characteristics of the footwear as much as they are aware of its comfort and durability. Because of the fashionableness of footwear, a wearer may wish to match his or her footwear to other parts of dress. Consequently, most people, especially women, may own a wide variety of different footwear or types of footwear not only for different occasions or activities, but also for different applications within an occasion or activity. Since shoes may be costly to purchase, one may be inclined to limit his or her supply of shoes below that which they may desire. 
     For the most part, athletic or gym shoes incorporate a rugged sole and attached upper portion, generally of leather or canvas. As is well understood, a section of the upper portion is open such that a wearer&#39;s foot can be easily inserted into the shoe. Typically, a series of laces operate to bind together the open section and conform the shoe to the wearer&#39;s foot. Although a gym shoe of this type typically is mostly concerned with support, comfort and durability, such shoes are also designed with fashion in mind. Therefore, it is known to possess several types of gym shoes of differing patterns and colors for use with different outfits, moods, etc. 
     Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide decorative cover panels for a shoe that are selectively removable to provide a varying choice of different colors and styles providing for different fashion statements. It is also an object of the present invention to provide a cover for the shoelaces which will inhibit interference of the shoelaces with foreign objects. 
     Thus, it would be advantageous to provide a shoe which could be readily adapted to provide varying patterns, fashions or the like in a single shoe. Such a shoe would be cost effective and would be useful in a variety of fashion situations. 
     Additionally, it is known that shoelaces, or other footwear securing devices, are prone to becoming untied as a result of interference with foreign objects or as a result of the user stepping on his/her own shoelaces. This is undesirable. Thus, it would be advantageous to provide a suitable cover which would protect the shoelace area from such mishap. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the present invention there is provided a shoelace cover for a shoe, the shoelace cover may be removably secured to the shoe or may include a removable fashion panel such that the panel can be readily replaced with other panels in order to provide different &#34;fashion statements&#34; for the wearer without the need to change the shoe itself. In a first embodiment, the shoe is a gym shoe including shoelaces for securing the shoe to a wearer&#39;s foot. The shoelace cover is attached to the shoe over the shoelaces in order to provide a base area for supporting the fashion panel. The shoelace cover and the fashion panel include an associated securing device, such as a loop and hook material, so that the fashion panel can be secured to the shoelace cover and easily removed for replacement by other alternate fashion panels of differing styles or designs. 
     In another embodiment, the shoelace cover includes a series of three slots, where two of the slots are positioned at upper locations on the shoelace cover on opposite sides of the shoe, and a third slot is positioned at a lower central location of the shoelace cover opposite the opening where the wearer inserts his or her foot into the shoe. The shoelace cover is pivotally secured to the shoe by a strap at the central location. At left and right locations adjacent the opening where the wearer inserts his foot, a strap is rigidly secured to the shoe such that the strap is insertable in the associated slot at the upper location of the shoelace cover. In this manner, the upper portion of the shoelace cover adjacent the opening for inserting the wearer&#39;s foot is disengagable from the shoe such that the user is able to access the laces for securing the shoe to his foot. 
     Additional objects, advantages, and features of the present invention will become from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a top view of a shoe including a shoelace cover and fashion panel according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a side view of the shoe and associated shoelace cover and fashion panel shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective exploded view of the shoe and associated shoelace cover and fashion panel shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is a top view of the shoelace cover of FIG. 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and 
     FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the fashion panel according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The following discussion of the preferred embodiments concerning a gym shoe and associated shoelace cover and fashion panel is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention or its applications or uses. 
     Turning to FIGS. 1 and 2, a top view and side view of a shoe 10 of the athletic or gym shoe type, is shown. The shoe 10 includes a sole portion 12, generally comprised of a rugged rubber material, and an upper portion 14 generally comprised of a durable and pliable leather or canvas material. At a back location of the upper portion 14 is an opening 16 for accepting a wearer&#39;s foot. A cushion 18 is visible through the opening 16 on which the wearer&#39;s foot is supported. At a front end of the upper portion 14 is a toe area 20. Extending from the toe area 20 to the opening 16 is a shoelace area 22. The shoelace area 22 is generally split such that a shoelace 24 is threaded through eyelets (see FIG. 3) associated with the shoelace area 22 in order to bind together the shoelace area 22 and secure the shoe 10 to the wearer&#39;s foot. A tongue 26, also extending from the toe area 20 to the opening 16, is positioned beneath the shoelace 24 such that the tongue 26 contacts the wearer&#39;s foot, and thus provides comfort against the shoelace 24 to the wearer. The basic components and operation of a gym shoe, such as shoe 10, is well understood to a person of normal sensibilities, and thus, a detailed discussion of the parts of the shoe 10 and their specific operation need not be elaborated on here. 
     Secured to the upper portion 14 of the shoe 10 covering the shoelace area 22 is a shoelace cover 28. In a preferred embodiment, the shoelace cover 28 is a semi-rigid panel that is curved to be shaped to conform to the shoelace area 22 such that an upper portion of the shoelace cover 28 extends a certain distance along the sides of the upper portion 14 adjacent the opening 16. The shoelace cover 28 narrows slightly as it extends towards the toe area 20. The specifics concerning the shape, dimensions, material, rigidity, etc. of the shoelace cover 28 will be discussed in greater detail below with respect to FIG. 4. Additionally, the preferred method of securing the shoelace cover 28 to the shoe 10 will also be discussed below. 
     In a preferred embodiment, affixed to a top surface of the shoelace cover 28 is a fashion panel 30. The fashion panel 30 is secured to the shoelace cover 28 by an applicable securing mechanism, such as a loop and hook and/or VELCRO® type fastener device, so that the fashion panel 30 can be readily removed from the shoelace cover 28 and replaced with an alternate fashion panel having a different design. The fashion panel 30 extends from a location proximate to the opening 16 to a location proximate to the flex area of the shoe 10 adjacent the toe area 20. The removable fashion panel 30 allows a wearer of the shoe 10 to selectively choose from any number of different fashion panels such that the shoe 10 can be transformed from one aesthetic design to another in accordance with the desires of the wearer. In this regard, the wearer can express himself or herself and make a &#34;fashion statement&#34; using the shoe 10 as an accent. Additionally, the shoe 10 can be allowed to conform with a particular outfit the wearer is wearing without having to retain a wide range of different shoes. Of course, shoes come in pairs, and therefore, the fashion panel 30 would probably be changed on both shoes. The specifics concerning the shape, dimensions, material, rigidity, etc. of the fashion panel 30 will be discussed below with reference to FIG. 5. While the fashion panel is a preferred embodiment, it is to be appreciated that the underlying cover 28 could be readily removable and replaceable with other like covers having fashion patterns to provide the desirable fashion result. This could be accomplished either separate from fashion panel 30 or in combination with the use of fashion panel 30. 
     In order to secure the shoelace cover 28 to the shoe 10, the shoelace cover 28 includes a first slot 32, a second slot 34 (see FIG. 4) and a third slot 36 cut into the shoelace cover 28 at an upper left location, a lower front location and an upper right location, respectively, as shown. A series of straps are attached to the upper portion 14 of the shoe 10, and threaded through the slots 32, 34 and 36 in order to secure the shoelace cover 28 to the shoe 10. Specifically, a first strap 38 is threaded through the slot 32, a second strap 40 is threaded through the slot 34 and a third strap 42 is threaded through the slot 36. 
     Since the shoelace cover 28 covers the shoelace 24 of the shoe 10, the design of the shoelace cover 28 must allow access of the wearer to the shoelace 24 such that the wearer can secure the shoe 10 to his foot. FIG. 3 shows the manner in which the shoelace cover 28 and the fashion panel 30 are removable from the shoe 10. In this exploded perspective view, the strap 40 is shown secured to the shoelace area 22 at a lower location and still threaded through the slot 34 such that the shoelace cover 28 is pivotally engagable at this location to the shoe 10. The strap 38 is shown detached from the slot 32 and the strap 42 is shown detached from the slot 36. A pair of fastening devices 44, such as rivets, rigidly secure the strap 42 to the upper portion 14 of the shoe 10. Similar rivets (not shown) secure the strap 38 to the upper portion 14. It is to be appreciated that the straps could be removably secured to the shoe if desired, provided the straps can be attached for securement of the cover 28 to the shoe 10. 
     When the strap 42 is threaded through the slot 32, a loop or hook material 46 at one end of the strap 42 is secured to an opposite hook or loop material 48 at an opposite end of the strap 42 to hold the shoelace cover 28 in place. The strap 38 releasably secures the shoelace cover 28 in a similar manner. In this manner, the shoelace 24 can be completely exposed such that the wearer can lace up the shoe 10 in an ordinary fashion. When the shoelace cover 28 is securely attached to the upper portion 14 of the shoe 10, the straps 38 and 42 will be threaded through the slots 32 and 36, respectively, and be tightened against themselves. It may be possible to secure the shoe 10 to the wearer&#39;s foot by tightening the straps 38 and 42 in the manner as just discussed, thus eliminating the need for the shoelace 24. 
     Attached to the top surface of the shoelace cover 28 by means of glue or the like are two sections of loop hook fastener material 50 and 52. Likewise, attached to the fashion panel 30 by means of glue or the like are two sections of loop or hook material (see FIG. 5) such that when the fashion panel 30 is appropriately aligned with the shoelace cover 28, the sections 50 and 52 align with the sections on the fashion panel 30, and the panel 30 will be adequately secured in place. However, upon removal of the fashion panel 30 from the shoelace cover 28, a replacement fashion panel can be connected to the shoelace cover 28 in a similar manner to provide an alternate fashion statement. Of course, other adequate securing mechanisms can be used as alternates to the loop and hook devices. 
     Now turning to FIG. 4, a top view of the shoelace cover 28 is shown. As is apparent, the shoelace cover 28 has a predetermined shape which is designed to conform with the shoelace area 22 of the upper portion 14 of the shoe 10. A first winged portion 56 and a second winged portion 58 are included to extend a distance down the sides of the upper portion 14 in order to more adequately conform to the shape of the upper portion 14. The slots 32 and 36 are cut into the winged portions 56 and 58, respectively. The shoelace cover 28 is intended to be of a semi-rigid material. In one preferred embodiment, a semi-rigid plastic base layer having a thickness of approximately 1 mm is conformed to the desirable shape of the shoe 10, and an outer skin or fabric layer 60 is secured to the rigid plastic base layer by means of glue or some other adequate securing method. The layer 60 can match the material of the upper portion 14 of the shoe 10, or be of some other type or design. Of course, the shoelace cover 28 can be a single member of any desirable material, such as leather, plastic, metal, or any other suitable material. Further, the shape and size of the shoelace cover 28 can vary depending on different designs or different shoes. 
     FIG. 5 shows a bottom view of the fashion panel 30. Like the shoelace cover 28 before it, the fashion panel 30 can come in a variety of different materials and shapes. Attached to the back surface of the fashion panel 30 by means of glue or the like is a pair of sections of loop or hook material 62 and 64. The sections 62 and 64 align with the sections 52 and 50, respectively, when the fashion panel 30 is secured to the shoelace cover 28. In a preferred embodiment, the fashion panel 30 is of a semi-rigid material having a thickness of about 1 mm which is formed to the shape of the shoelace cover 28 on the shoe 10. The fashion panel 30 can be of a semi-rigid plastic material having an outer coating of a fabric or leather material. Further, the fashion panel 30 can be a metal piece having the appropriate shape. It is the fashion panel 30 which is intended to be interchanged with other fashion panels selected from any number of fashion panels having the above described characteristics. The fashion panel 30 can have different colors, different patterns, or different wordings such that the wearer can interchange the fashion panel 30 from one time to the next in order to provide a different fashion statement without having to have a number of different pairs of shoes. 
     The foregoing discussion discloses and describes merely exemplary embodiments of the present invention. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from such discussion, and from the accompanying drawings and claims, that various changes, modifications and variations can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.