GB2410672A

GB2410672A - Shoes with inter-changeable accessories

Info

Publication number: GB2410672A
Application number: GB0412240A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Emma Jackson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-02-05
Filing date: 2004-06-02
Publication date: 2005-08-10
Also published as: GB0412240D0; GB0402513D0; GB0407630D0

Abstract

A shoe with inter-changeable accessories comprise a magnet fixed to the surface of the shoe and a range of inter-changeable accessories each having a corresponding magnet attached. The magnets allow the inter-changeable accessories to be detachably attached to the shoe thereby allowing the design/style of the shoe to be changed. The inter-changeable accessories comprise a material strip 5 with a magnet attached to the underside 4 with an accessory such as a bow, ribbon, buckle, gemstones, logo or pattern attached to the top 6. A magnet or plurality of magnets may be riveted to the surface of the shoe allowing the one or more accessories to be detachably attached to various parts of the shoe. Alternatively the accessories are attached to a pin (8, Fig 5) that is attached to the surface of the shoe whereby the material strip (5, Fig 5) of the accessory is slid on the pin and held in place by a small magnet or hook and loop material.

Description

SHOES WITH AN INTER-CHANGEABLE RANGE OF ACCESSORIES

Background

This invention relates to designing a range of fashionable, yet classic ladies shoes, complete with a unique range of matching, detachable and inter-changeable fashion accessories, enabling the wearer to modify the appearance of the shoe to suit personal taste, complement other clothes and accessories or dress an outfit up or down to suit an occasion.

Most women find clothes shopping an enjoyable experience, however all can relate to that frustrating feeling when there are a number of options presented to buy for example the black shoe with the pink diamante finish or the black shoe with the blue diamante finish, the choice is endless. The problem does not only apply to evening shoes. There are now a multitude of daytime shoes that have exactly the same design but with a slightly different colouring, material or accessory, which enviably further complicates the purchase. The resulting factor is increased risk with this purchase, both monetary and emotionally. The purchaser starts to ask the questions, "should I have bought the other colour, or do I have enough outfits to wear this with, would it have been better to spend my money on a daytime shoe rather than an evening type as I'll get more use out of this?" and so on.

To overcome this the present invention proposes two parts to the a shoe which would both be manufactured specifically for this invention so that the final look is of the highest standard - so that the inter-changeable carriers look like part of the shoe and not an add-on. me first part consists of a base shoe, which would have pre-determined area consisting of a magnetic fixing mechanism designed to look and act like a button (hereafter called magnetic button) riveted to the shoe's surface. This design area would then accept the second part of the shoe, the interchangeable carriers.

The carriers would consist of an range of cut and shaped material strips, which could be in either the same or different material as the footwear, would be stitched or sealed to give a complete finished look. The carrier would have the corresponding magnetic button riveted to the underside. They could possibly be slightly recessed into the material strip to give a final look to the accessory. The upper side would consist of either a simple tooled design comprising, but not limited to, patterns, logos, and cut shapes, or any one or combination of, but not limited to, the following accessories; bows, crystals, ribbons, tassels, stars, diamante strips and shapes, buckles, gemstones, acrylic shapes, chains and feathers. These could be presented on the shoe in both singular and multiple formats.

Advantages Due to a range of inter-changeable carriers being produced to exactly match and affix to a specific shoe style then me consumer can alternate accessories freely to modify the look without having to purchase a new shoe.

The inter-changeable carriers will also allow a frustrated consumer the chance to reduce risk involved with a shoe purchase. The inter-changeable element will mean that a faddy trend can be purchased, or a season's latest colour, or even an accessory for a special occasion, however none of these will reduce the usage of the shoe as the accessory can simply be modified once not desired, not appropriate etc...

Introduction of drawings

An example of the invention will now be described by referring to me accompanying drawings: 1 shows the base shoe, which will be available in the latest looks and styles to remain appealing to the consumer 2 & 3 shows the placement area (2) and affixing inter-changeable carriers (3) with the magnet button affixed flawlessly to the base shoe.

Detailed description

Figure 1 A base shoe (1) with a magnetic button (2), which is riveted to the top of the shoe. An inter changeable carrier, (3) with a corresponding magnetic button on the underside (4) would be riveted to the material strip, (5). The material strip will be stitched or sealed to give a complete final look and will contain on top an accessory detail, (6), including but not limited to bows, buckles, ribbons, tassels. Due to both the shoe and the inter-changeable carriers being specifically manufactured for this invention, the final look will be flawless.

Figure 2 As Fig 1, however (2) also refers to a different placement of the inter-changeable carrier (3) on the ankle strap (7), in addition or other than on the front of the base shoe (1).

Figure 3 As Fig 1, however (2) also refers to multiple use of interchangeable carriers (3), on the base shoe (1).

Figure 4 A base shoe (1) with a single magnet/c button attachment, which would be riveted to the top of the shoe (2). The inter-changeable carrier (3) is attached to the base shoe (1) in a singular format. To ensure that the look is flawless the inter-changeable carrier is made up of a corresponding magnetic button (4) that's riveted to a similar shaped material strip (5) and then an accessory detail on top (6).

Figure 5 A base shoe (1) with a singular money clip' pin (8) bonded, stitched or riveted to the top of the shoe. The inter-changeable carrier (3) consisting of a material step (5) which is stitched or sealed to give a complete final look and will contain an accessory detail on top (6). At one end of the material strip (5) a slit will be left uncovered so to enable the accessory to be slid onto the money clip' pin (8) attached to the base shoe (1). On the underside of the material strip (5) a small piece of hook and loop material or a magnet (4) will be bonded, stitched or riveted. The base shoe (1) will hold either the other part of the hook and loop material (2) or, if metal, the magnet (4) will bond to the money clip (8) to give a complete, flawless look to the shoe.

Claims

Claims 1 A base shoe (1) which would have pre-determined design area

comprising a magnetic button affixed to the shoes surface (2), which can then hold a matching range of inter-changeable carriers (3) comprising of a corresponding magnetic button to the underside (4) and then the upper side would consist of a material strip (5) with an accessory on top (6).
2 As claim 1, where both magnetic buttons (2 & 4) used could be various shapes, i.e. discs/rectangles and sizes, lengths, depths and widths (4) to create different looks on different style shoes.
3 As claims 1-2, where the magnetic button could also be simply a plain magnetic without the button feature.
4 As claim 1-3, where the magnetic buttons may or may not include rivets for ease of attachment to the base shoe (1) and material *rip (5).
As claim 4, where the magnetic buttons (2 & 4) may also be applied by, but not limited to bonding or stitching to the base shoe (1) and material strip (5).
6 As claims 1-6, where the magnetic buttons (2 & 4) could be presented on the base shoe (1) in both singular and multiple formats (see fig. 3 & 4), to hold singular or multiple inter-changeable carriers (3).
7 As claim 6, where the magnetic buttons (2 & 4) could be positioned in various areas (7) on the base shoe (1) including but not limited to the foot area, sides, ankle straps, heel (see fig. 2).
8 As claim 1, where the material strip (5) could be in either the same or different material as the base shoe (1).
9 As claim 8, where the material strip (5) may or may not be the same shape and size as me pre- determined base shoe area.
As claim 9, where the material strip (5) may or may not be the same shape and size as the magnetic buttons (2 & 4).
11 As claim 10, where the material strip (5) may be stitched or sealed to give a flawless look to the final shoe, concealing the magnetic button (4) from obvious view.
12 As claim 11, where the magnetic buttons (2 & 4) may or may not be recessed and riveted into the material strip (5), and base shoe (1) if the design warranted it, to give an even further flawless, complete look.
13 As claim 1, where the inter-changeable carriers (3) may or may not be the exact same size or shape as the base shoes (1) pre-determined area, including magnetic buttons (2 & 4).
14 As claim 1, where the number of layers could consist of, but not limited to; material strip (5) with magnetic button underneath (4) or material strip (5), with magnetic button underneath (4) and accessory (6) (I.e. triple or quadruple layers).
As claim 1 where the magnetic buttons (2 & 4) may or may not be positioned underneath base shoe (1).
16 As claim 1, where the accessories (6) could be either a simple tooled or non tooled designs comprising, but not limited to, pattems, logos, and cut shapes, and/or any one or combination of, but not limited to, the following accessories; bows, crystals, ribbons, tassels, stars, diamante strips.
17 As claim 16, where the inter-changeable carrier (3) may include multiple or singular use of accessories (6).
18 As all claims above, however where the fixing mechanism may consist of metal and magnet or as described, magnet and magnet to bind the interchangeable carriers (3) to the base shoe (1).
19 As claim 18, where a possible metal fixing mechanism used could be various shapes, i.e. discs/rectangles and different sizes, lengths, depths and widths (4) to create different looks on different style shoes.
As claim 18-19, where the metal fixing mechanism could be presented in singular or multiple formats (4 & 7) on the base shoe (1).
21 As all claims above where the inter-changeable carrier (3) could be applied to the shoe through a 'money clip' pin (8) as described in fig. 5.
22 As all claims above, wherein the cover is adapted to fit any type of shoe and boot, including but not limited to sandals, pumps, trainers, slip-one, slippers.
23 As in claim 20, where the cover can be applied to any size and style of any shoe.
24 As claim 1, which can also be applied to other accessories and clothing including but not limiting handbags, belts, wallets, purses, t- shirts, trousers.