Boots – shoes – and leggings – Boots and shoes – Shoe for children or dolls
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-14
2001-02-20
Kavanaugh, Ted (Department: 3728)
Boots, shoes, and leggings
Boots and shoes
Shoe for children or dolls
C036S001000, C446S026000, C446S395000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06189240
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to novelty footwear. More particularly, the present invention relates to shoes intended to appeal to children which are constructed and configured to impart the impression that the foot is being placed into the mouth of an animal's head.
Novelty footwear is known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. Des. 49,946 provides an ornamental slipper having a head of a rabbit formed on a toe portion and a tail-like member on a heel portion of the slipper to give the appearance that the wearer's foot is a rabbit. Another example is U.S. Pat. No. Des. 189,082 which is a slipper in the form of an animal paw. Yet another example is U.S. Pat. No. Des. 327,361 wherein a child's bootie is formed in the shape of a dog, bear or rabbit head. Still another example is U.S. Pat. No. 5,085,294 which provides an article of footwear having an animated face with eyes which move in response to weight transfer while walking in the footwear in order to give the appearance of the registration of pain with each step.
Additionally, there is footwear of the tennis or athletic style which is intended to appeal to children and which can be used in a variety of settings. However, such footwear typically comprises a standard tennis or athletic style shoe having only minor modifications, usually directed to colors, prints, character decals and the like which are sewn or otherwise adhered to the shoe. Oftentimes, these minor modifications alone are not enough to appeal to the imagination or adventurous spirit of a child.
Practically all articles of footwear are displayed in various stores in the same manner. Specifically, shoes are typically arranged on inclined shelving to present the footwear to the potential buyer. The footwear are often placed according to size, resulting in unrelated footwear being placed next to one another. The shelving can be quite high, preventing a child from adequately viewing the footwear. Such existing displays are not appealing to consumers, and particularly not to children.
Therefore, what is needed is an article of footwear which is appealing to children while capable of being used in a variety of settings and environments. What is further needed is a display which integrates the footwear to appeal to the consumer, and particularly to children. The present invention fulfills these needs and provides other related advantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention resides in a novelty shoe embodying a caricature of the head of an animal. The shoe comprises a sole and an upper which cooperate to form a foot-receiving compartment therebetween. The sole and the upper are configured such that a mouth of the caricature defines an entry for the foot-receiving compartment.
A first portion of the upper is attached to the sole and forms a lower jaw of the caricature. A second portion of the upper extends from the toe and forms an upper jaw of the caricature. The caricature may have representative teeth extending from the upper and lower jaws
The upper second portion articulates relative to the entry of the footreceiving compartment between open and closed positions. A fastener releasably secures the upper second portion in the closed position. In the illustrated embodiments, the fastener comprises hook and loop tape fasteners disposed on facing surfaces of the upper first and second portions The hook and loop tape fasteners are positioned so as to be visibly concealed when the upper second portion is in the closed position. The teeth may have hook and loop tape positioned on the facing surfaces thereof in order to releasably secure the upper second portion in the closed position.
The upper first portion includes a slit capable of expansion to facilitate acceptance of a foot into the foot-receiving compartment. The upper first portion may include either a zipper or a fastening strap for closing the slit in order to securely hold the foot within the foot-receiving compartment. The strap may include double-sided hook and loop tape which fastens the strap as well as securing the upper second portion in the closed position.
The shoe may be displayed on a stand having a shoe support in the form of a headless animal. The shoe is positionable on the shoe support such that the addition of the shoe creates the appearance of a completed animal.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: D. 49946 (1916-11-01), Blum
patent: D. 172669 (1954-01-01), Kleppen
patent: D. 189082 (1960-10-01), Goodman
patent: D. 327361 (1992-06-01), Rush et al.
patent: 1909645 (1933-05-01), Wiesner
patent: 2823490 (1958-02-01), Griem
patent: 3023420 (1962-03-01), Tann
patent: 3226849 (1966-01-01), Rosen
patent: 4200197 (1980-04-01), Meyer et al.
patent: 4736847 (1988-04-01), Wang
patent: 4778172 (1988-10-01), Bryan
patent: 5058293 (1991-10-01), Villar
patent: 5193808 (1993-03-01), Takeshi
patent: 5368518 (1994-11-01), Hitchcock
Cowgill Scott
McIntyre Jonothon T.
Kavanaugh Ted
Kelly Bauersfeld Lowry & Kelley LLP
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