Shoe Face Display

Abstract

A shoe display for a shoe having a pair of opposing guards, includes at least one track, wherein the track is disposed on at least one of the opposing guards and an interchangeable face member having at least one edge, the at least one edge maintained in a complementary manner in the at least one track such that the interchangeable face member slides in and out the at least one track.

Claims

1. A shoe display for a shoe having a pair of opposing guards, which includes: at least one track, wherein said track is disposed on at least one of the opposing guards; and an interchangeable face member having at least one edge, said at least one edge maintained in a complementary manner in said at least one said track such that said interchangeable face member slides in and out said at least one track.

2. The shoe display of claim 1, wherein said interchangeable face member has an indicia on a front face thereof.

3. The shoe display of claim 1, wherein said interchangeable face member is made of an elastic material.

4. The shoe display of claim 1, wherein said interchangeable face member includes a at least one elongated side member, said at least one side member bound to at least one edge of said interchangeable face member and when so bound is slidable received in said at least one one track.

5. The shoe display of claim 1, wherein said each track includes a U-shaped member having a pair of opposing arms and a base defining a mouth to receive about an edge of one of the opposing guard.

6. The shoe display of claim 1, which includes at least one panel member, said at least one panel member having a plurality of eyelets to receive lace therethrough and connected to said at least one track and which can be connected about eyelets of the shoe by a lace threading them together.

7. The shoe display of claim 6, which includes at least one stretch material interconnecting said at least one said panel member and a respective at least one track.

8. The shoe display of claim 5, which includes at least one of said arms being outwardly disposed with respect to the shoe when disposed thereon and connected to said at least one track.

9. The shoe display of claim 8, wherein includes U-shaped bracket members and are disposed about eyelets of the shoe.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a shoe face display in accordance with the present invention.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a top view of a shoe with the shoe face display thereon in accordance with the present invention with the laces below the face display as represented in hidden lines.

[0017] FIG. 3 is a cross section taken along line A-A of FIG. 1.

[0018] FIG. 4 is a plan view of another embodiment of shoe face display with components shown displaced in accordance with the present invention.

[0019] FIG. 5 is a top view of a shoe with the shoe face display of FIG. 4 thereon in accordance with the present invention.

[0020] FIG. 6 is a cross section taken along line B-B of FIG. 4.

[0021] In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures.

[0022] FIG. 7 depicts components of the shoe face display of FIG. 4 on a shoe.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] Referring to the drawings, a shoe face display made in accordance with embodiments the present invention is generally referred to with the numeral 10. The shoe face display 10 is for connection to laced shoes 12 which have a pair of opposing lace guards 14 which can be drawn together by a shoelace 13 threaded between shoelace eyelets 16 formed thereon. The shoelace eyelets 16 are generally formed as a row on each of the opposing lace guards 14 with the shoelace eyelets 16 oriented to form opposing pairs of shoelace eyelets 16. The opposing pairs of shoelace eyelets 16 permit the shoelace 13 to be threaded through the shoelace eyelets 16 to join the opposing pairs of shoelace eyelets 16.

[0024] In one embodiment as seen in FIGS. 1-3, the shoe face display 10 includes a pair of tracks 20A and 20B, wherein each track 20A and 20B is connected to a respective stretch material 22A and 22B, which can be an elastic or stretch fabric material, for example, connected to a respective side 24A and 24B of track 20A and 20B.

[0025] On another side 26A and 26B of the respective stretch material 22A and 22B is connected a respective panel member 28A and 28B having a plurality of eyelets 30A and 30B, respectively, to receive lace(s) 32 therethrough. An interchangeable face member 34 has an indicia 36 on a front face 38, which can be a unique player number or other symbol or letter. The interchangeable face member 34 has edges 40A and 40B to be maintained in a complementary manner in respective opposing tracks 20A and 20B such that the interchangeable face member 34 slides in and out thereof. The interchangeable face member 34 is assembled after the lacing of the panel members 28A and 28B. The elastic stretch material provides for flexibility and a comfortable fit.

[0026] In another embodiment as seen in FIGS. 4-7, the shoe face display 10 includes a pair of tracks 50A and 50B which are connected (preferably integrally) to U-shaped bracket members 52A and 52B, respectively. As seen in FIG. 5, the U-shaped bracket members 52A and 52B are disposed about the eyelets 16 having arms 56A, 56B and 57A, 57B with uppermost arm 56A and 57A being outwardly disposed with respect to the shoe 12 and connected to track 50A and 50B, respectively. Here, the U-shaped bracket members 52A and 52B each have the respective arms 56A, 56B and 57A and 57B with a connecting base 59 and 60 to define a mouth to receive about an edge of one of the opposing guards 14. The arms 56A, 56B and 57A and 57B are shown to include openings 61 and 63, which are here shown by way of example, coaxially aligned and it is contemplated that the number of openings and placement can vary.

[0027] Interchangeable face member 58 can include an indicia 65 on a front face 62 which likewise can be a unique player number or other symbol or letter. The interchangeable face member 58 has formed edges 66A and 66B to be maintained in a complementary manner in respective opposing tracks 50A and 50B such that the interchangeable face member 58 slides in and out thereof. It is envisioned that the interchangeable face member 58 can be made of a material, such as a fabric which can preferably be stretch material, and which is bound on an elongated member 68A and 68B. In this regard the elongated member 68A and 68B can include a lengthwise groove to receive an edge of the stretch material and at least partially wrapped in a manner to provide the stretch material held or bound to the member 68A, 68B. Other forms of attachment are contemplated, such as by adhesive or mechanical means. The elongated members 68A and 68B can be fed or slid into the tracks 50A and 50B in order to maintain the shoe face display 10 across a face of the shoe 12.

[0028] Interchangeable face member 34/58 is shown as substantially rectangular, but other geometric configurations are contemplated such as square, polygonal or continuous or partially curved perimeter. Interchangeable face member 34/58 can preferably be of flexible or stretchable material to lend comfort to the wearer. However, it is contemplated that other materials, which may be less flexible or comfortable. It is further contemplated that the invention can optionally integrate into the shoe 12 the tracks, 20 or 50 for example, or a similar structure to enable the sliding receipt of interchangeable face member 34/58.

[0029] Shoelace eyelets 16 may be any type of structure configured to attach to a shoelace 13. In the shoe illustrated, shoelace passages 16 can take the form of grommets attached to shoe 12 or may be stitched areas of the material, hooks, loops, or any other type of structure which has an opening or passage configured to permit a shoelace 13 to pass there through. Grommets or the like can preferably made of a strong and rigid material such as brass, aluminum, steel or plastic.

[0030] Interchangeable plate 34/58 can preferably be made of a material which enables the edges thereof to be slidable received into tracks 20A and 20B or 50A and 50B. Interchangeable plate 34/58 has a length L defined as a length approximate that of a length eyelets 16 span the lace guards 14 and a width W proximate between the eyelets 16. interchangeable plate 34/58 is dimensioned such that when attached to shoe 12 as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 5, the interchangeable plate 34/58 extends substantially uniformly across a face of the shoe 12.

[0031] By providing a shoe face display 10 as specified above, there is provided a unique and comfortable display for indicia which is readily interchangeable. The interchangeable face member 34/58 provides a desired flexibility about a tongue of the shoe 12 as well as to provide enhanced support for one's arches through addition support provided in the bias guards 14 toward one another. While the tracks 20A and 20B or 50A and 50B and respective interchangeable plate 34/58 are shown as extending a length of the eyelets 16, it is contemplated that the length in which these extend can be shorter and disposed in a manner to easily facilitate the tying of shoe laces 13.

[0032] While an embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed, variations, modifications and derivations of the disclosed embodiment could be envisioned as within the scope of this invention. It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.