Footwear Customization Accessory

Abstract

The present invention relates to a footwear customization device or accessory that converts footwear to many different styles and colors. The device or accessory includes an add-on device for existing footwear, and is in the form of a footwear topper device. The device can be secured around the ankle of a wearer and around the shank of the footwear under the outsole. The straps of the device are secured around the bottom of the outsole near the shank or heel portion, and wrap around the ankle of a wearer for securing to the footwear. The device enables an adjustable fastening mechanism that allows the footwear to be kept effectively secured to the feet while providing customization to the upper portion of the footwear.

Claims

1. A footwear customization accessory comprising: a first strap and a second strap; said first strap crisscrossing with said second strap at a connection; said connection includes a first fastener; said connection positioned proximal to a heel of a wearer; said first strap includes a first length and said second strap includes a second length, said first length generally equal to said second length; said first strap including a top end and a bottom end, said second strap including a top end and a bottom end; said first strap top end connectable to said second strap top end with a second fastener; said first strap bottom end connectable to said second strap bottom end with a third fastener; said second fastener secures said first strap with said second strap proximal to an ankle of a wearer of the footwear; and said third fastener includes a hook and loop fastener to secure said first strap with said second strap to a shank area of a sole of the footwear.

2. The footwear customization accessory of claim 1, wherein said first strap and said second strap comprise a flexible material.

3. The footwear customization accessory of claim 1, wherein said first strap and said second strap comprise a weatherproof material selected from a group consisting of a vinyl, a leather, a plastic, a silk, and a nylon.

4. The footwear customization accessory of claim 3, wherein said first strap and said second strap comprise a width from about 0.25 inches to about 1 inch.

5. The footwear customization accessory of claim 4, wherein said first fastener is a stitching of said first strap to said second strap.

6. The footwear customization accessory of claim 1, wherein said second fastener includes a buckle and said first strap top end comprises a plurality of holes for receiving a prong of said buckle.

7. The footwear customization accessory of claim 1, wherein said footwear customization accessory selectively removable from a first footwear and selectively mountable to a second footwear.

8. A footwear customization accessory comprising: a first strap and a second strap; said first strap crisscrossing with said second strap at a connection; said connection includes a first fastener; said connection positioned proximal to a heel of a wearer; said first strap includes a first length and said second strap includes a second length, said first length generally equal to said second length; said first strap including a top end and a bottom end, said second strap including a top end and a bottom end; said first strap top end connectable to said second strap top end with a second fastener; said second fastener secures said first strap with said second strap proximal to an ankle of a wearer of the footwear; and said second fastener selectively disconnected to remove said footwear accessory selectively from one footwear and to mount said footwear accessory to another footwear.

9. The footwear customization accessory of claim 8, wherein said first strap and said second strap comprise a flexible material.

10. The footwear customization accessory of claim 8, wherein said first strap bottom end connectable to said second strap bottom end with a third fastener.

11. The footwear customization accessory of claim 10, wherein said third fastener comprises a hook and loop fastener to secure said first strap with said second strap around a shank area of a sole of the footwear.

12. The footwear customization accessory of claim 10, wherein said third fastener is selected from a group consisting of a stitching, a snap, and an adhesive to secure said first strap with said second strap around a shank area of a sole of the footwear.

13. The footwear customization accessory of claim 8, wherein said first strap and said second strap comprise a weatherproof material selected from a group consisting of a vinyl, a leather, a plastic, a silk and a nylon.

14. The footwear customization accessory of claim 13, wherein said first strap and said second strap comprise a width from about 0.25 inches to about 1 inch.

15. The footwear customization accessory of claim 14, wherein said first fastener is a stitching of said first strap to said second strap.

16. The footwear customization accessory of claim 15, wherein said second fastener includes a buckle and said first strap top end comprises a plurality of holes for receiving a prong of said buckle.

17. A footwear customization accessory comprising: a first strap and a second strap; said first strap crisscrossing with said second strap at a connection; said connection includes a first fastener; said connection positioned proximal to a heel of a wearer; said first strap includes a first length and said second strap includes a second length, said first length generally equal to said second length; said first strap including a top end and a bottom end, said second strap including a top end and a bottom end; said first strap top end connectable to said second strap top end with a second fastener; said second fastener securable above an ankle of a wearer of the footwear; and said second fastener selectively disconnected to remove said footwear accessory selectively from one footwear and to mount said footwear accessory to another footwear.

18. The footwear customization accessory of claim 17, wherein said second fastener is selected from a group consisting of a zipper, a shoelace, a button, a buckle, a snap fastener and a hook and loop fastener to secure said first strap with said second strap.

19. The footwear customization accessory of claim 18, wherein said first strap bottom end connectable to said second strap bottom end with a third fastener.

20. The footwear customization accessory of claim 19, wherein said third fastener is selected from a group consisting of a stitching, a snap, an adhesive, and a hook and loop fastener to secure said first strap with said second strap around a shank area of a sole of the footwear.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:

[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a footwear customization accessory of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0023] FIG. 2A illustrates a rear view of the one potential embodiment of the footwear customization accessory of the present invention being worn on a foot in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0024] FIG. 2B illustrates a side view of the one potential embodiment of the footwear customization accessory of the present invention being worn on a foot in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0025] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a second potential embodiment of the footwear customization accessory of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0026] FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of the second potential embodiment of the footwear customization accessory of the present invention being worn on a foot in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0027] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view showing a third potential embodiment of footwear customization accessory of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture; and

[0028] FIG. 6 illustrates a flow diagram showing exemplary steps performed for using the footwear customizing device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0029] The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.

[0030] As noted above, there exists a long felt need in the art for a footwear customization device that provides customization for any type of footwear. There is also a long felt need in the art for a footwear customization device that can be easily installed and removed from footwear. Additionally, there is a long felt need in the art for a footwear customization device that temporarily customizes the footwear, and can be removed to retain the original look of the footwear. Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for a footwear customization device that quickly customizes the footwear and is cost-effective. Furthermore, there is a long felt need in the art for a footwear customization device that eliminates the need of buying a plurality of footwear to match with different outfits. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for a footwear customization device that effectively and temporarily customizes the look of footwear with ease and is capable of converting the footwear to many different styles and colors with enhanced safety.

[0031] The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, includes a novel footwear upper or ankle area customizing device. The customizing device includes an upper section that wraps around the ankle of a wearer, a lower section that wraps around the inner portion of the heel of the footwear proximal to the rear of the ankle of the wearer, the lower section supports the outsole of the footwear from the bottom and the upper section, and the lower section is stitched at a stitching or connection point. The device includes a pair of customizing flexible straps, wherein the lower parts of both the straps lie below the stitching or connection point, and the upper parts of both the straps lie above the stitching or connection point.

[0032] Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of the footwear customization accessory of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The footwear customization accessory 100 of the present invention is designed as a modified shoe topper or accessory that secures to the top side (upper) of footwear to customize the look of the footwear. Generally, the footwear customization device 100 includes two flexible footwear-customizing sleek straps that are stitched or connected to each other at a single point, thereby providing a flexible X-like or crisscross shape to the accessory 100. In the present embodiment, a first customizing strap 102 and a second customizing strap 104 are stitched or fastened to each other at the stitching or connection point 106. Preferably, the total length of both the first customizing strap 102 and the second customizing strap 104 are generally equal and are used for customizing the footwear. The first customizing strap 102 includes a bottom end 108 and a top end 110, with the top end 110 having a buckle or other fastener 112. The second customizing strap 104 also includes a corresponding bottom end 114 and a top end 116, with a plurality of holes 118 near the top end for receiving the prong 1120 of the buckle 112 to secure both the customizing straps 102, 104 with each other above the ankle of a wearer. The length of the first customizing strap 102 from the bottom end 108 to the stitching or connection point 106 includes the first customizing strap's lower length 1020, and the length of the first customizing strap 102 from the stitching or connection point 106 to the top end 110 includes the first customizing strap's upper length 1022. Similarly, the length of the second customizing strap 104 from the bottom end 114 to the stitching point 106 includes the second customizing strap's lower length 1040, and the length of the second customizing strap 102 from the stitching point 106 to the top end 116 includes the second customizing strap's upper length 1042. In use and for customizing the footwear, the bottom end 108 of the first strap 102 and the bottom end 114 of the second strap 104 are attached to each other to form a closed loop of the first customizing strap's lower length 1020, and the second customizing strap's lower length 1040 between the stitched bottom ends 108, 114 and the stitched point 106 that wraps around the shank portion of the sole and then around the ankle as best illustrated in FIG. 2A. In one embodiment, the bottom ends 108, 114 are attached or fastened to each other through a stitching, a snap fastener, an adhesive or hook and loop fastening mechanism, and are placed around the sole in front of the heel. In one potential embodiment, the placement of the fastened bottom ends 108, 114 can be positioned under the sole in the waist or shank area of the shoe bottom. Thus, the bottom ends 108, 114 secure the accessory 100 below or under the sole portion of the footwear, and the top ends are secured around the ankle of the wearer using the buckle 112, the prong 1120 and the holes 118.

[0033] The stitching point 106 can be configured to be positioned at the rear side of the leg of the wearer, preferably above, or behind and aligned with, the ankle enabling the first customizing strap's upper length 1022 and the second customizing strap's upper length 1042 to secure to each other. The accessory 100 appears as a modified shoe topper and thus customizes the look of the footwear with ease. The shoe topper 100 can be easily removed by unfastening the buckle 112 and prong 1120 from the holes 118, and can also be replaced by unfastening the bottom ends 108, 114 for removing from underside of the sole of the footwear. The shoe topper 100 can also be removed by simply pulling from around the footwear without unfastening the bottom ends 108, 114.

[0034] The first customizing strap's lower length 1020 and the second customizing strap's lower length 1040 form the lower section of the accessory 100, and the first customizing strap's upper length 1022 and the second customizing strap's upper length 1042 form the upper section of the accessory 100. Further, the first customizing strap's lower length 1020 and the second customizing strap's lower length 1040 appear as diverging downward from the stitching point 106, and the first customizing strap's upper length 1022 and the second customizing strap's upper length 1042 appear as diverging upward from the stitching point 106.

[0035] The sleek customizing straps 102, 104 can include a uniform width in the range of generally from about 0.25 inch to about 1 inch. The accessory 100 can be made from an appealing and weatherproof material such as vinyl, leather, plastic, silk, elastic, nylon or the like.

[0036] FIG. 2A illustrates a rear view of one potential embodiment of the footwear customization accessory of the present invention being worn on a foot in accordance with the disclosed architecture. As shown, the footwear customization device 100 can be used with footwear 200, such as a stilettos and high heels. The exemplary footwear 200 includes a sole 202 having a heel 204 that is positioned below the wearer's heel area 206. The first customizing strap's lower length 1020 and the second customizing strap's lower length 1040 wrap around the shank area of the sole 202 below the wearer's heel 206, and then around the ankle 208 of the wearer such that the stitching or connection point 106 is positioned at the rear of the ankle 208. From the stitching point 106, the first customizing strap's upper length 1022 and the second customizing strap's upper length 1042 are wrapped around the ankle 208 to secure in front of the wearer's ankle as shown in FIG. 2B. The customizing straps 102, 104 secure the footwear 100 to the foot of the wearer by providing support to the heel portion 206, and thus prohibiting the chances of slipping off the footwear 200 in use. Further, the device 100 gives a new look to the footwear 200 and can be replaced with a customizing device 100 of another design. The first customizing strap's upper length 1022 is wrapped around from one side of the ankle, and the second customizing strap's upper length 1042 is wrapped around from the opposite side of the ankle, enabling the device 100 to properly secure and transform the footwear 200.

[0037] FIG. 2B illustrates a side view of the one potential embodiment of the footwear customization accessory of the present invention being worn on a foot in accordance with the disclosed architecture. As shown, the second customizing strap's lower length 1040 is wrapped from the sole 202 around the ankle 208, and the second customizing strap's upper length 1042 loops around the ankle 208 to secure the accessory 100 using the buckle 112 to secure to the other upper length of the accessory 100.

[0038] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the second potential embodiment of the footwear customization accessory of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. In the present embodiment, a laced or intertwined footwear customization accessory 300 is secured around the ankle using lace segments. The laced footwear customization accessory 300 includes a lower customizing strap 302 and an upper laced strap 304, and both are stitched or intertwined at a common stitching point 306. The lower customizing strap 302 is designed to pass around the waist or shank area of the outsole of the footwear and wrap around the heel and ankle of the wearer, and the free ends 3020, 3022 are secured under the shank of the outsole of the footwear near the heel portion. The lower strap 302 reaches the stitching point 306 from both sides of the heel of a wearer providing proper support to the footwear. The upper laced strap 304 is looped around the ankle from the rear of the ankle to the front of the ankle, and then can be tied using the free ends 3040, 3042 to each other through a knot to form a secure engagement. When the upper laced strap 304 is tied, the accessory 300 provides additional support to the footwear, and prohibits the footwear from slipping off in addition to providing customization to the footwear.

[0039] FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of a second potential embodiment of the footwear customization accessory of the present invention being worn on a foot in accordance with the disclosed architecture. As shown, the lower customizing strap 302 of the laced footwear customization accessory 300 is wrapped around the waist or shank of the sole 202, near the heel 204, to loop around the ankle 208. The stitching point 306 can be positioned proximal to the rear of the ankle with the upper laced strap 304 looping from back to front of the ankle 208 to secure in front of the ankle 208. It should be appreciated that the lower customizing strap 302 is in the form of an inverted-U, and wraps the sole from both sides to meet at the stitching or connection point 306. The upper laced strap 304 wraps the leg just above the ankle, such that the knot 402 can be tied in front.

[0040] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view showing a third potential embodiment of the footwear customization accessory of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The present embodiment provides a shoe-style customization accessory 500 that can be secured around the ankle using a lace 506. The accessary 500 includes a pair of straps 502, 504 that are stitched around or underside of the sole to secure the footwear. Each strap includes a plurality of binding holes for a lace 506 to pass through to secure in front of the ankle of the wearer. The first strap 502 is designed to cover the ankle from a one side, such that the one set of binding holes 508 is positioned in front of the ankle and the second strap 504 is designed to cover the ankle of the wearer from a second side such that the second set of binding holes 510 are also positioned in front of the ankle. The lace 506 binds the one set of binding holes 508 and the second set of binding holes 510 to secure the accessory 500 on the foot of a wearer. The straps 502, 504 can include a piece construction. The customization accessory can be removed from one article of footwear and easily applied to an outsole of another article of footwear.

[0041] FIG. 6 illustrates a flow diagram showing exemplary steps performed for using the footwear customizing device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

[0042] It should be understood that the present embodiment states the basic flow performed by a user and additional actions may be used to add additional processes to the basic flow. Initially, the lower portion of the customization device is secured to or looped around the bottom of the outsole (i.e. around the waist or shank) of the footwear by stitching or attaching the two ends of the lower portion (Block 602). The lower portion can be wrapped around an inner part of the heel from the bottom of the outsole (Block 604). Thereafter, a user inserts his or her foot in the footwear such that the lower portion adheres to a rear part of the ankle (Block 606). For securing the device, the straps of the upper portion are looped around the ankle or above the ankle (Block 608). Finally, the straps of the upper portion are fastened using laces, a buckle, snap buttons, hook and loop fastener or any other conventional fastening means (Block 610).

[0043] Some embodiments of the present invention also function as an ankle protector for the wearer as the ankle can be covered and protected from exposure. The device of the present invention can be adjusted as per the size of the wearer's foot and ankle by using the fastening means.

[0044] The material of the customization accessory of different embodiments includes leather, chamois leather, muntjac leather, synthetic leather, synthetic fur, nylon, rayon, flannel, broadcloth, velvet, canvas, plastics, rubber, resins, plastic resins, silicone rubber, elastomers, polymers, synthetic rubber, synthetic resins, synthetic materials or the combination thereof.

[0045] Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “footwear customization accessory”, “laced footwear customization accessory”, “footwear customization device”, “shoe topper”, “accessory”, “device”, and “shoe snapper” are interchangeable and refer to the footwear customization accessory 100, 300, 500 of the present invention.

[0046] Notwithstanding the forgoing, the footwear customization accessory 100, 300, 500 of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the size, configuration and material of the footwear customization accessory 100, 300, 500 as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the footwear customization accessory 100, 300, 500 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the footwear customization accessory 100, 300, 500 are important design parameters for user convenience, the footwear customization accessory 100, 300, 500 may be of any size that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.

[0047] Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.

[0048] What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.