Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A43—FOOTWEAR
  • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
  • A43B3/00—Footwear characterised by the shape or the use
  • A43B3/12—Sandals; Strap guides thereon
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A43—FOOTWEAR
  • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
  • A43B3/00—Footwear characterised by the shape or the use
  • A43B3/0036—Footwear characterised by the shape or the use characterised by a special shape or design
  • A43B3/0078—Footwear characterised by the shape or the use characterised by a special shape or design provided with logos, letters, signatures or the like decoration
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A43—FOOTWEAR
  • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
  • A43B23/00—Uppers; Boot legs; Stiffeners; Other single parts of footwear
  • A43B23/24—Ornamental buckles; Other ornaments for shoes without fastening function
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A43—FOOTWEAR
  • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
  • A43B3/00—Footwear characterised by the shape or the use
  • A43B3/10—Low shoes, e.g. comprising only a front strap; Slippers
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A43—FOOTWEAR
  • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
  • A43B3/00—Footwear characterised by the shape or the use
  • A43B3/10—Low shoes, e.g. comprising only a front strap; Slippers
  • A43B3/101—Slippers, e.g. flip-flops or thong sandals
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A43—FOOTWEAR
  • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
  • A43B3/00—Footwear characterised by the shape or the use
  • A43B3/24—Collapsible or convertible
  • A43B3/242—Collapsible or convertible characterised by the upper

Definitions

• This disclosure relates to a slipper with exchangeable decorative tops for entertainment.
• Slippers come in many configurations. Some are plain, while others are in the shape of figures such as, for example, animals or other figures.
• the slippers in the shape of three- dimensional figures such as, for example, the three-dimensional shape of a bunny or a bear, are enjoyable to wear around the house and provide entertainment value to the wearer. However, after a while, the entertainment value wanes with sameness. New slippers as comfortable as the first pair but made in the shape of other images may be hard to find and hard to find in the size and fit desired. Thus, the entertainment experience can be diminished or lost.
• slippers with multiple image shapes that have the same fit for children and adults alike.
• the disclosure relates to a slipper having an exchangeable, decorative top portion that is provided in a three-dimensional shape of an animate or inanimate object.
• the decorative top portion is configured to be exchanged with another decorative top portion without worry that the slipper will still fit or that familiar comfort of the slipper will be lost.
• Changeable decorative slippers fulfill a need for those who enjoy wearing slippers that make a statement or entertain the wearer. It is often hard to find slippers that are comfortable and may take wearing them for a while to fit comfortably. In addition, a user may become bored wearing the same fanciful decorative slippers.
• the disclosure provides a way for the user to change the decorative top element with another new image without losing the comfortable fit that has been obtained.
• a changeable decorative slipper comprises two elements, a base element, and a decorative top element.
• the base element has a sole having a front portion, a back portion, sides, and an edge surrounding the sides of the sole, and a top with a top front surface, and a bottom edge, with the bottom edge adhered to the front portion of the base element and configured to releasably hold a front portion of a foot to the base element.
• the base element also has a first half of a releasable fastener affixed at least to the edge of the base element.
• the decorative top has a top, a bottom with a bottom edge, sides, a front, a back, a vertical plane bisecting the decorative top from front to back, a horizontal plane configured to contact the bottom edge the top configured into a three dimensional shape configured to fit over the entire base element and comprising front half, a mid-point and a back half with a slit from the mid-point toward the pack and from top to bottom through the decorative top element with a size configured to allow a foot to pass through the decorative top element to the base element.
• the decorative top element also has a second half of a releasable fastener affixed to the edge of the decorative top. It is understood that the slipper has a form configured to fit a left foot and a form configured to fit a right foot of a user.
• the first step is providing a base element and a first decorative top element as described above, and a second decorative top element having a different three- dimensional shape.
• the second step is to releasably affix the first decorative top element to the base element.
• the third step is to wear until bored.
• the fourth step is to remove the first decorative top element to the base element.
• the fifth step is to releasably affix the second decorative top element to the base element.
• the slipper or slippers are washable in a washing machine and some by dry cleaning.
• FIG. 1 is a top view of the decorative top element and the base element in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.
• FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the decorative top element of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.
• FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of showing the decorative top element and base element of FIG. 1 attached to one another in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.
• the disclosure relates to a changeable, decorative slipper in an overall three- dimensional shape.
• the changeable, decorative slipper includes a top portion configured to be changed without worrying if the slipper will still fit.
• the description refers to a single changeable decorative slipper.
• the slipper has a form configured to fit a left foot and a form configured to fit a right foot of a user with each form having the features and characteristics described herein such that the slipper may be worn as a member of a pair of slippers.
• FIGS. 1-3 show various views a changeable, decorative slipper 2, according to various embodiments of the disclosure.
• decorative slipper 2 includes base element 4 and decorative top element 6.
• Decorative top element 6 is configured to be releasably attached to the base element 4 such that decorative top element 6 can be exchanged with a different decorative top element when desired by the wearer.
• base element 4 is made of conventional slipper material and includes a bottom sole and top that at least covers the toes of a foot. As shown in FIG. 1, base element 4 includes a front portion 8, a back portion 10, first and second sides 12, 14, and an outer edge 16 surrounding a periphery of base element 4. Sides 12, 14 define edges that are constructed so as to surround a wearer’s foot. In some embodiment, sides 12, 14 may be raised above an upper surface of base element 4.
• Base element 4 also includes a top 18 with a top front surface 20, and a bottom edge 22 attached to the front portion 8 of the base element 4 such that top 18 is configured to releasably hold a front portion of a wearer’s foot to base element 4.
• bottom edge 22 of top 18 is attached to base element 4 on two sides.
• bottom edge 22 of top 18 is attached to base element 4 about a periphery of the front portion 8 of base element such that it is secured to base element 4 on at least three sides.
• Base element 4 also includes a bottom sole 24 (FIG. 3).
• Sole 24 can be made of a variety of conventional materials used to fabricate the sole of slipper include, but not limited to leather, rubber or synthetic variants of leather and rubber.
• base element 4 can be worn alone as a slipper without any loss of functionality such as when, for example, changeable, decorative top element 6 is being washed.
• decorative top 6 has a three-dimensional shape such that when the decorative top 6 is received on base element 4, the slipper 2 has the overall three- dimensional shape of decorative top 6.
• the three-dimensional shape may be the shape of any animate or inanimate object that may be of interest to the wearer.
• the three- dimensional shape can include animals, well-known personas or popular objects or symbols.
• Animal figures can range widely and can include but are not limited to, a dolphin (depicted), whale, tiger, platypus, elephant, sea monster, duck, flamingo, moose, penguin or the like.
• Animal figures can include mythical animals or creatures.
• changeable, decorative top 6 has a top 30, a bottom 32 with a bottom edge 34, sides 36, 38, a front 40, a back 42, a vertical plane 44 defined along line x-x bisecting decorative top 6 from front 40 to back 42, a horizontal plane 46 defined along line y-y configured to contact the bottom edge 34 of decorative top 6.
• decorative top 6 is configured into a three-dimensional shape and is sized and shaped so as to fit over the entire base element 4, as best viewed in FIG. 3.
• Changeable, decorative top element 6 also includes an opening 50.
• Opening 50 extends from top 30 of decorative top element 6 to bottom 32 and has a length and a width configured to allow a wearer’s foot to pass through decorative top element 6 to base element 4 when decorative top element 6 is secured to base element 4.
• opening 50 can be a slit or other opening that is capable of being widened to permit a wearer to insert their foot. Once a wearer’s foot is received in the base element, opening 50 may provide a comfortably snug fit around the user’s foot so as to ensure that slipper 2 will not be inadvertently released from the wearer’s foot when in use.
• decorative top 6 includes a front half 52, a mid-point 54 and a back half 56. Opening 50 may extend from mid-point 54 toward back 42 of decorative top element 6. In other embodiments, opening 50 can encompass mid-point 54.
• decorative top element 6 includes bottom cavity 60 is defined by an inner peripheral wall 64.
• Bottom cavity 60 is sized and shaped so as to be received over base element 4, as shown in FIG. 3.
• bottom cavity 60 is sized and shaped such that bottom cavity 60 and thus decorative top element 6 fits over the entire base element 4.
• decorative top element 6 is received over base element 4 such that base element 4 is not visible, but for sole 24.
• a wearer’s foot is inserted into opening 50 provided in decorative top element 6 such that it enters cavity 60 where it can be then received in top 18 of base element 4 when decorative top element 6 is secured to base element 4.
• changeable, decorative top element 6 can be releasably attached to base element 4 using a releasable fastener to form slipper 2 in a desired three-dimensional shape.
• Releasable fasteners typically have two parts and can include buttons, snaps, zippers, hooks and loops, but not limited to these.
• the term “hooks and loops” are used to generically refer to VELCRO® which is a registered trademark of Velcro Brands. Snaps have depressions and protrusions. Zippers have a first set of teeth one side configured to engage a second set of teeth on an opposite side.
• Mechanical fasteners can include a first half including plurality of hooks disposed on a backing and a second side including a plurality of loops disposed on backing.
• the backing can be secured to a surface through the use of an adhesive or can be sewn to the surface.
• the releasable fastener includes hooks and loops, as shown in the figures.
• base element 4 includes a plurality of hooks or loops 70 forming the first half of a releasable fastener affixed at least to an outer edge 16 of base element 4.
• Decorative top element 6 includes a corresponding plurality of hooks or loops 74 forming a second half of a releasable fastener affixed to a bottom edge 36 of decorative top element 6.
• additional hooks or loops can be provided on an upper surface of the top 18 of base element 4 and an inner surface of the cavity 60 formed in decorative top element 6.
• Hooks or loops 70 forming the first half of a releasable faster may be distributed about at least a portion of an outer periphery defined by outer edge 16 of base element 4.
• hooks or loops 74 forming the second half of the releasable fastener may be distributed about at least a portion of a bottom periphery defined by bottom edge 36 of decorative top element 6.
• the hooks and loops 70, 74 may be distributed uniformly about at least a portion of the outer periphery of base element 4 and bottom periphery of decorative top 6, respectively.
• the hooks and loops 70, 74 may be distributed at discrete locations about at least a portion of the outer periphery of the of base element 4 and the bottom periphery of decorative top element 6, respectively.
• the hooks and loops 70 forming the first half of the releasable fastener are distributed around at least 50 % of an outer periphery of base element 4 as defined by outer edge 16. In another embodiment, the hooks and loops 70 forming the first half of the releasable fastener are distributed around at least 67 % of an outer periphery of base element 4 as defined by outer edge 16. In still other embodiments, the hooks and loops 70 forming the first half of the releasable fastener are distributed around substantially an entire outer periphery of base element 4 as defined by outer edge 16.
• the hooks and loops 74 forming the second half of the releasable fastener are distributed around at least 50 % of a bottom periphery defined by bottom edge 36 of decorative top element 6.
• the hooks and loops 74 forming the second half of the releasable fastener are distributed around at least 67 % of a bottom periphery defined bottom edge 36 of decorative top element 6.
• the hooks and loops 74 forming the second half of the releasable fastener are distributed around substantially an entire bottom periphery defined by bottom edge 36 of decorative top element 6.
• bottom edge 36 can be pressed against outer edge 16 of base element 4 such that the second half of hooks or loops 74 contact and engage with the first half of hooks or loops 70 to releasably attach decorative top element 6 to base element 4 to form slipper 2 in a desired three-dimensional shape.
• the releasable fastener hooks and loops 70, 74
• the releasable fastener permits decorative top element 6 to be removed from base element 4 upon application of a light force by the wearer.
• both the changeable, decorative top element 6 and the base element 4 can be fabricated from machine washable material such that both parts of the slippers can be washed in a conventional washing machine.
• one or both of changeable decorative top element 6 and base element 4 may be cleaned by known dry cleaning processes.
• Slipper 2 as described herein according to the various embodiments, can be provided as a pair of slippers having a right form and a left form to fit a right foot and a left foot of a wearer, respectively.
• slipper 2 as described herein, can be provided as a part of a kit.
• a kit may include a pair of base elements (a left base element and a right base element) together with at least a first pair of decorative top elements and a second pair of decorative top elements that is different from the first pair so that the decorative top element of the slipper may be changed as desired.
• a pair of decorative top elements can be provided separately from the base element such that a wearer may add additional decorative top elements to their collection.
• a method of using a changeable decorative slipper includes five steps.
• the first step is providing a base element and a first decorative top element as described above, and a second decorative top element having a different three-dimensional shape.
• the second step is to releasably affix the first decorative top element to the base element.
• the third step is to wear until bored.
• the fourth step is to remove the first decorative top element to the base element.
• the fifth step is to releasably affix the second decorative top element to the base element.
• the method can include two additional two steps.
• the sixth step is removing the second decorative top element to the base element.
• the seventh step is releasably affixing the first decorative top element to the base element
• the method involves providing yet another decorative top element. The following steps are like those discussed above.

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• Footwear And Its Accessory, Manufacturing Method And Apparatuses (AREA)

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Citations (7)

• 2020
  • 2020-11-23 US US17/102,263 patent/US20210378350A1/en active Pending
• 2021
  • 2021-01-08 DE DE202021000090.9U patent/DE202021000090U1/de active Active
  • 2021-06-01 WO PCT/US2021/035262 patent/WO2021252226A1/en active Application Filing

Patent Citations (7)

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