BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to shoes and, more particularly, to shoes having replaceable decorative members whereby the style of the shoe can be changed as desired by the user.

Shoes are typically composed of a sole and an upper. The sole includes the outsole and insole with the upper composed of exterior components, typically a vamp forming the front of the shoe covering the toes and part of the foot and quarters extending from the vamp to the back of the shoe and an interior lining, which for the purposes of the instant invention are referred to as the vamp lining and the quarter lining.

The present invention is a shoe having multiple changeable top, side and rear decorative appliques providing for changing the style and appearance of a shoe, whereby a user can selectively replace the top, side or rear decorative appliques from a plurality of top, side or rear decorative appliques.

The shoe and top cover have attachment means for releasably fixing said top, side and rear cover to said shoe. The removable top, side and rear can be swapped with different appliques of varying colors and textures to create interesting new looks using the same base shoe.

The present invention further provides that the shoe can have an open toe with a plurality of toe covers providing means for changing the shoe appearance using any appropriate fastener taken from the group of hook and loop, snap, hook, zipper or magnet for attaching the toe cover or appliques to the shoe. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A primary object of the present invention is to provide shoes having a plurality of decorative applique whereby the appearance and style of the shoe can be selectively changed at the user's discretion.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a shoe having a recess within the vamp and/or quarters for placement of a decorative applique therein.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a shoe where said recess has a depth substantially corresponding to the thickness of the applique base.

Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a decorative applique having a base that is substantially similar in shape to the recess manufactured in the vamp and/or quarter.

A yet further object of the present invention is to provide a decorative applique having a fastener fixedly attached to the base of said decorative applique.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a decorative applique that when placed within said manufactured recess in said vamp or said quarters, the top surface of the decorative applique base is coplanar with the exterior surface of said shoe vamp and/or shoe quarter.

Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide toe covers for an open toe shoe vamp having corresponding fastener member forming an integral part therewith whereby the toe cover can be releasably attached to an open toe aperture Yet another object of the present invention is to provide shoe toe covers whereby the appearance of the shoe can be changed by replacing the toe cover selected from a plurality of provided toe covers.

The foregoing and related objects are accomplished by the present invention for shoes having interchangeable decorative appliques, wherein shoes are provided with recesses within the shoe vamp or shoe quarters and toe covers for open toe shoes, whereby the style of the shoe can be changed as desired by the user.

More particularly, the shoe's decorative appliques and toe covers have fasteners for releasably fixing the decorative appliques within shoe recesses and toe cover appliques mountable to the shoe insole whereby any one or all of said decorative appliques can be swapped with different appliques of varying colors and textures to create interesting new looks using the same base shoe.

Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent when considered in combination with the accompanying drawing figures, which illustrate certain preferred embodiments of the present invention. It should, however, be noted that the accompanying drawing figures are intended to illustrate only select preferred embodiments of the claimed invention and are not intended as a means for defining the limits and scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

In the drawing, wherein similar reference numerals and symbols denote similar features throughout the several views: FIG. 1 is an overall view of the components of the present invention of a shoe with interchangeable decorative appliques, including an illustrative view of its use;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the present invention of a shoe with interchangeable decorative appliques showing the components thereof;

FIG. 2A illustrates a shoe having a plurality of decorative appliques using hook and loop as the fastening element;

FIG. 2B is a partial sectional view of a shoe installed applique, taken from FIG. 2, as indicated above;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view depicting a plurality of swappable decorative appliques for the shoe of the present invention;

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the shoe having replaceable decorative elements;

FIG. 3B is further perspective view of the shoe having replaceable decorative elements;

FIG. 3C is an additional perspective view of the shoe having replaceable decorative elements;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view depicting decorative appliques having snap fasteners for the shoe of the present invention;

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the shoe having replaceable decorative elements;

FIG. 4B is an additional perspective view of the shoe having replaceable decorative elements;

FIG. 4C is a further perspective view of the shoe having replaceable decorative elements;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a decorative element partially attached to a shoe; FIG. 6 is an additional perspective view of the shoe having replaceable decorative elements;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a decorative element partially attached to a shoe; FIG. 8 is a perspective, exploded view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention; F1G. 9 is an enlarged, detailed view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a further exploded view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1 1 is a side view of the present invention providing magnetic therapy for feet;

FIG. 12 is an additional perspective view of a further preferred embodiment of an element of the present invention;

FIG. 12A is an exploded perspective view of an additional preferred embodiment of another element of the present invention; and,

FIG. 12B is a further perspective view of another element of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Turning now, in detail, to the drawing figures, FIG. 1 shows the present invention 10 in use. More particularly, the present invention 10 is a shoe 12 having an outer sole 14, inner sole 16 with vamp 18 and quarters 24 extending therefrom with interior linings 20, 26 covering the vamp and quarters respectively. The present invention provides at least one cavity milled in vamp 18 forming vamp recess 22 and/or milled in quarter 24 forming quarter recess 28, which includes heel quarter recess 30, for placement therein of at least one decorative applique 34 for changing the style and appearance of shoe 12. The applique comprises a shoe releasable base 38 having a bottom surface 42 and a top surface 40 that may be any texture or color. Further provided is an ornamental element 36 fastened to base 38. At least one fastener selected from the list of snaps 44, magnets 46, zipper 48 and hook and loop 50, typically known under its trade name (Velcro®).

Additionally, the present invention envisions that a plurality of swappable appliques 34 and storage box 52 are provided with the recessed enhanced shoes 12. While there are other appliques designed for shoes, the present invention provides that the swappable appliques have substantially similar periphery dimensions as the aforementioned cavities so that once placed therein the decorative applique top surface 40 is level with the outer surface of the vamp or quarter. In other words, surface 40 doesn't extend above or below the rim of the cavity and therefore has the appearance that the applique was manufactured as an integral part of said shoe 12.

FIG. 2 illustrates a high heel shoe 10 having a plurality of vamp and quarter recesses 22, 28 and a plurality of decorative appliques 34 with each using a different fastener attachment means 44, 46, 48, and 50 depicting enablement of the various fasteners for illustrative purposes. For purposes of this application the vamp 18 is considered the front part of the shoe extending from the front of the shoe opening to the tip of the shoe with the quarters 24 extending from there through the heel. While enablement of all fasteners is depicted, the preferable fastener is hook and loop. Vamp Recesses 22 are depicted in the top and side of vamp 22. The top side decorative applique 34 having top side 40 and bottom side 42 with snap fasteners 44 extending therefrom is positioned for insertion into vamp recess 22. As illustrated, the cavity extends through the vamp's outer layer but not the vamp lining 20. Also shown is the decorative applique 34 having ornamental elements 36 fastened thereto. Another vamp recess 22 is shown in the side of shoe 12 with a ready to be inserted decorative applique 34 comprising applique base 38 having top side 40, which may be any color or texture and bottom side 42 having a first mating hook and loop fastener 50 fixedly attached thereto with the vamp recess 22 having the reciprocal mating hook and loop fastener 50 therein. Further depicted are quarter recesses 28 within the side of shoe 12 and back of shoe 12 herein referred to as a heel recess 30. Each of those recesses are shown with a releasable decorative applique 34, one using mating magnetic fasteners 46 and the other using a zipper fastener 48. FIG. 2 A shows a shoe having a plurality of decorative appliques using hook and loop as the fastening element. The present invention provides a shoe 12 having at least one milled recess 22, 28 through the shoe's vamp 12 material or quarter 28 material exposing the interior shoe's lining 20, 26 forming receptacle for a decorative applique 34 comprising decorative applique base 38 having top surface 40 of any color or texture and bottom surface 42 having a first part of a fastening element, in this case hook and loop fastener 50. The present invention further provides that a decorative ornamental element may be fastened to the top surface 40 of applique base 38 for any or all applique bases.

FIG. 2B presents a partial sectional view of a shoe installed applique, taken from FIG. 2 as indicated. Illustrated is vamp recess 22 milled in shoe vamp material 18 to the vamp lining 20, which has one of a mating hook and loop fastener 50 fixed to the vamp lining 20. The decorative applique 34 comprising base 38 having top side 40, of any color or texture, and bottom side 42 having the mating hook and loop fastener fixed thereto provides for easily removing the decorative applique 34 and replacing with a similarly dimensioned decorative applique 34. Also shown is the decorative applique having its top surface 40 in co-planar alignment with the rim of the shoe vamp 22 recess giving the appearance that the decorative applique is an integral part of the shoe.

FIG. 3 shows a plurality of swappable decorative appliques for the shoe of the present invention. The decorative applique 34 of the present invention comprises a decorative applique base 38 having a top side 40 and bottom side 42 that may have an ornamental element fixed to the applique base top surface 40 and wherein said top surface may be any color or texture. A fastener, taken from the list of snaps, magnets, zipper and hook and loop is fixedly attached to the applique bottom side 42. Once the decorative applique is inserted into recess 22, the top surface of the decorative applique 34 does not extend above or below the rim of recess 22. Referring to FIG. 3 A, shown is a perspective view of the shoe having replaceable decorative elements. The shoe 12 of the present invention 10 provides multiple changeable decorative elements 34 having releasable fastening means for changing the look of the shoe 12. The decorative appliques of the present invention comprise a decorative applique base 38 having a top surface 40 and a bottom surface 42 that is attachable to a shoe recess 28 using a fastener taken from the list of snaps, magnets, zippers, and hook and loop. The applique base top surface 40 may be any color or texture and may incorporate an ornamental element 36 fixed, using any attachment methods known within the art, such as sown, glued, ultrasonically bonded, etc, to the decorative applique top surface 40 using a plurality of fastening elements.

FIG. 3B shows a further perspective view of the shoe having replaceable decorative elements. The present invention 10 is a shoe 12 having multiple changeable decorative covers 34 providing for changing the style and appearance of a shoe so that a user can selectively replace the decorative appliques 34 from a plurality of provided decorative appliques 34. Shown is a decorative applique 34 being secured to the shoe 12 with hook and loop fasteners 50. Other fastener elements may be employed, as illustrated, snaps 44, magnets 46 and zippers 48.

FIG. 3C presents another perspective view of the shoe having replaceable decorative elements. The present invention 10 is a shoe 12 having multiple changeable decorative covers 34 providing for changing the style and appearance of a shoe so that a user can selectively replace the decorative appliques 34 from a plurality of provided decorative appliques 34. Shown is a decorative applique 34 being secured to the shoe 12 quarter recess 30 with hook and loop fasteners 50. Other fastener elements may be employed, as illustrated, snaps 44, magnets 46 and zippers 48. FIG. 4 is a decorative appliques having snap fasteners for the shoe of the present invention. The decorative applique of the present invention comprising a decorative applique base38 having a top side 40 and bottom side 42 that may have an ornamental element fixed to applique base top surface 40 and wherein said top surface 40 may be an color or texture. Fasteners, taken from the list of snaps, magnets, zipper and hook and loop are fixedly attached to the applique bottom side 42. Once the decorative applique is inserted into recess 22, the top surface of the decorative applique 34 does not extend above or below the rim of recess 22. As illustrated, the snap fasteners require vamp material ledge 54 having mating apertures for inserting the post portion of the fastener therein.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the shoe having replaceable decorative elements. The shoe 12 of the present invention 10 provides multiple changeable decorative elements 34 having releasable fastening means for changing the look of the shoe 12. The decorative appliques of the present invention comprise a decorative applique base 38 having a top surface 40 and a bottom surface 42 that is attachable to a shoe recess 28 using a fastener taken from the list of snaps, magnets, zippers, and hook and loop. The applique base top surface 40 may be any color or texture and may incorporate an ornamental element 36 fixed, using any attachment methods known within the art, such as sown, glued, ultrasonically bonded, etc, to the decorative applique top surface 40 using a plurality of fastening elements.

FIG. 4B presents another perspective view of the shoe having replaceable decorative elements. The present invention 10 is a shoe 12 having multiple changeable decorative covers 34 providing for changing the style and appearance of a shoe so that a user can selectively replace the decorative appliques 34 from a plurality of provided decorative appliques 34. Shown is a decorative applique 34 being secured to the shoe 12 with hook and loop fasteners 50. Other fastener elements may be employed, as illustrated, snaps 44, magnets 46 and zippers 48.

FIG. 4C shows a further perspective view of the shoe having replaceable decorative elements. The present invention 10 is a shoe 12 having multiple changeable decorative covers 34 providing for changing the style and appearance of a shoe so that a user can selectively replace the decorative appliques 34 from a plurality of provided decorative appliques 34. Shown is a decorative applique 34 being secured to the shoe 12 quarter recess 30 with hook and loop fasteners 50. Other fastener elements may be employed, as illustrated, snaps 44, magnets 46 and zippers 48.

FIG. 5 an enlarged view of a decorative element partially attached to a shoe. Shown is the present invention 10, whereby a user can selectively replace the decorative element 34 from a plurality of decorative elements 34. The shoe 12 and decorative applique 34 having mating snap attachment means 24 for releasably fixing said top cover 14 to said shoe 12. The removable decorative applique 34 can be swapped with different colors and textures to create interesting new looks using the same base shoe 12.

FIG. 6 presents another perspective view of the shoe having replaceable decorative elements. The present invention 10 is a shoe 12 having multiple changeable decorative covers 34 providing for changing the style and appearance of a shoe so that a user can selectively replace the decorative appliques 34 from a plurality of provided decorative appliques 34. Shown is a decorative applique 34 being secured to the vamp recess 22 of shoe 12 with hook and loop fasteners 50. The present invention provides that the swappable appliques have substantially similar periphery dimensions as the aforementioned cavities so that once placed therein the decorative applique top surface 40 is level with the outer surface of the vamp or quarter recess 22, 28. FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a decorative element partially attached to a shoe. Shown is the present invention 10, whereby a user can selectively replace the decorative applique 34 from a plurality of decorative appliques 34. Illustrated are the shoe 12 and decorative applique 34 having mating snap attachment means 44 for releasably fixing said decorative applique 34 to said shoe 12. The removable decorative applique 34 can be swapped with other provided decorative appliques 34 having different colors and textures to create interesting new looks using the same base shoe 12.

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the present invention 10. Shown is the present invention 10, whereby a user can selectively replace the decorative cover 34 from a plurality of decorative covers 34. Illustrated is the shoe 12 and decorative applique 34 having mating zipper means 48 for releasably fixing said decorative cover 34 to said shoe 12. The decorative applique 34 comprises a decorative applique base 38 having a top side 40 and bottom side 42 that may have an ornamental element fixed to the applique base top surface 40 and wherein said top surface may be any color or texture thereby providing a shoe where different colors and textures create a new look for the same base shoe 12.

FIG. 9 presents a detailed view of the present invention 10, whereby a user can selectively replace the decorative applique from a plurality of provided decorative appliques 34. The shoe 12 and decorative applique 34 having mating zipper means 48 for releasably fixing said decorative applique 34 to said shoe 12. The removable decorative applique 34 can be swapped with different colors and textures to create interesting new looks using the same base shoe 12.

FIG. 10 shows an exploded view of the present invention 10, whereby a user can selectively replace the decorative applique 34 from a plurality of decorative appliques 34. Illustrated are the shoe 12 and decorative applique 34 having mating magnetic fastening means 46 for releasably fixing said decorative applique 34 to said shoe 12. The decorative applique 34 comprises a decorative applique base 38 having a top side 40 and bottom side 42 that may have an ornamental element fixed to the applique base top surface 40 and wherein said top surface may be any color or texture thereby providing a shoe where different colors and textures create a new look for the same base shoe 12.

FIG. 11 is a side view of the present invention providing magnetic therapy for feet. Shown is the present invention 10, whereby a user can selectively replace the decorative applique 34 from a plurality of provided decorative appliques 34. Illustrated is the shoe 12 and decorative applique 34 having mating snap means 44 for releasably fixing said decorative applique 34 to said shoe 12. Interiorly positioned therapeutic magnets 58 may also be provided to provide magnetic therapy to the foot.

FIG. 12 shows a further preferred embodiment of another element of the present invention 10 in use. More particularly, shown is a removable peep toe shoe 32 on a high heel style shoe and provided in other style shoes. The removable peep toe tip 56 can be swapped with different colors and textures to create interesting new looks using the same base shoe or left off the shoe, allowing the toes to be open and visible.

FIG. 12A is an additional preferred embodiment of, yet, another element of the present invention 10 in use. Specifically, what is shown is an open toed shoe 32 having a removable peep toe cover applique 56 on a high heel style shoe and provided in other style shoes. The removable peep toe tip 56 can be secured using a fastener element taken from the list of snaps, magnets, zippers and hook and loop fastener.

FIG. 12B, shows another element of the present invention, in which is shown is a removable peep toe applique 56 for open toed shoe 32 with high heel style shoe and provided in other style shoes. The removable toe tip 56 can be swapped with different colors and textures to create interesting new looks using the same base shoe or left off the shoe, allowing the toes to be open and visible.

While only several embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that many modifications may be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

List of Drawing Reference Numerals

10 Shoes with Interchangeable Appliques of the present invention

12 shoe

14 shoe outer sole

16 shoe inner sole

18 shoe vamp

20 vamp lining

22 vamp recess

24 shoe quarter

26 quarter lining

28 quarter recess

30 heel quarter recess

32 open toe shoe

34 decorative applique

36 decorative applique ornamental element

38 decorative applique base

40 decorative applique base top surface

42 decorative applique base bottom surface

44 snap fastener

46 magnetic fastener zipper fastener hook and loop fastener storage box vamp ridge toe cover applique magnets