Boots – shoes – and leggings – Boots and shoes – Convertible from one style or color to another
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-15
2001-04-10
Kavanaugh, Ted (Department: 3728)
Boots, shoes, and leggings
Boots and shoes
Convertible from one style or color to another
C036S127000, C036S054000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06212797
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to footwear, such as a shoe or boot having a saddle or spat region over the upper front thereof. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a removable saddle or spat for a shoe, such as a golf shoe, that can be attached to the shoe upper in a very secure, yet functional and comfortable manner.
2. Description of Related Art
Footwear, especially athletic footwear, such as golf shoes, are becoming more and more desirable for players. In a broader sense, the expense of obtaining shoes for the athletically minded individual is great. A different pair of shoes is required for golf, soccer, running, walking, cycling, bowling, boating and other sport and leisure activities. In addition, golfers for instance, also wear a wide variety of color coordinated clothes, for which many different style and color golf shoes may be required. It would be advantageous to provide a golf shoe wherein a single pair of shoes could be altered by the wearer thus creating the equivalent of many different colored pairs of shoes. For example, the color of an upper part of the shoe or the saddle could be changed to a different color by the wearer to coordinate with other attire.
There is known in the prior art removable or exchangeable spat sections for shoes. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,994,080 to Flanagan Jr. et al. discloses a shoe having a saddle area that can be removed and exchanged for a different color saddle. The saddle is held on the shoe by a series of snaps. A similar arrangement is found in U.S. Pat. No. 3,955,293 to Benedict. However, the attachment or fastener means for these types of shoes generally requires the use of snaps or guides which are difficult to use and are bulky and unsightly. In addition, the known types of removable spats use snaps or rails to attach the spat to the shoe. These attachment mechanisms are difficult to use, require a lot of time and manipulation, and because the attachment points are fixed, they generally can not accommodate feet of different widths very well. In addition, because the attachment mechanism is confined to an edge area of the spat, the spat may not be securely fastened to the shoe over its entire surface allowing debris to collect under the spat.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a removable spat/saddle for footwear that avoids the above described disadvantages. The present invention is directed to a removable spat-type feature disposed on the top of the shoe. This feature allows the wearer to remove and replace the spat with a different spat. The advantage is that different color and/or material spats may be placed on the shoe to color coordinate with other clothes. In addition, other types of symbols or trademarks may be placed on the spat. For example, the spat may depict indicia indicating membership to a club or other association.
To obtain these and other advantages, one aspect of the present invention is to provide footwear having a removable spat wherein the footwear is generally in the shape of a shoe, particularly a golf shoe. The shoe has an upper portion and a rear portion, the upper portion having a tongue groove formed therein. The upper portion is provided with a spat area having a first attachment media connected thereto over the entire spat area. Similarly, the removable spat has a front side and a rear side, the rear side having a second attachment media such that when the spat is placed on the spat area of the upper portion, the first and second attachment media are overlaid and maintain the spat on the shoe.
The first and second attachment media are preferably a loop and hook-type material, such as VELCRO. However, other types of reusable adhesive-type material could also be used. In addition, eyelets for shoelaces are provided in the spat, the upper or both. Additional securing snaps or other types of fasteners may be provided on corresponding portions of the spat and the spat area.
The advantages to the present invention over the prior art are numerous. The shoe and one or more spats can be sold together and additional spats could be sold separately. The separately sold spat would be less expensive than the purchase of a new pair of shoes. In addition, because the attachment media covers all or substantially all of the spat and associated spat area on the upper, a more secure attachment is provided as opposed to the prior art edge attachment devices. In addition, the VELCRQ attachment media gives the wearer the flexibility to position the spat on the upper in such a way that it can be laced up to the exact tension that results in a comfortable fit and thereby accommodate feet of different widths.
In a shoe according to the present invention, the tongue may be part of the spat forming a single removable piece, or be attached to the upper resulting in two removable pieces. In the latter case, the first attachment media would be provided on the upper portion of the tongue.
These, together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.
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patent: 5778564 (1998-07-01), Kettner
Boorne William H.
Fenton Mitchell
Merry David
Evenson, McKeown, Edwards & Lenahan P.L.L.C.
Kavanaugh Ted
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