Footwear apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus mountable on footwear is presented. The apparatus may comprise one or more of a body member, a cover member, one or more connection element(s), and / or one or more anchor member(s). The body member may have an upper body face and a lower body face. The anchor member(s) may removably matingly engage with one or more footwear through-holes of a footwear item that may include one or more footwear through-holes. The body member may be movable between a mounted position and an unmounted position. The mounted position may be defined as the body member substantially covering and substantially occluding upper and outer surfaces of the footwear item. The unmounted position may be defined as the body member not covering and not substantially occluding the upper and outer surfaces of the footwear item.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to systems and methods for a footwear apparatus to be carried by footwear.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Accessories for footwear items, such as shoes or sandals, are generally well known. The prior art include footwear items that have portions or areas thereon configured to attach and detach from various accessories. The prior art typically include fastening points on the footwear item, such as hook-and-loop fasteners or buttons, and with the accessories attaching or being fixed to the footwear item via similar and / or congruent uniting fasteners. The prior art disclose using a specifically developed shoe therefor, and also accessories configured to attach to third-party shoes that are generally known to be common to most potential intended users of the prior art. The prior art further disclose various types and kinds of attachable footwear accessories of different shapes, sizes, and structures, such as, decorative beads, decorative ropes, protection coverings, and footwear reinforcements. The footwear reinforcements are intended to cover or plug one or more holes commonly found included in some third-party shoes, such as, to cover or plug the holes typically found in closed-toed sandals to prevent debris from moving into the footwear item through its included manufactured holes.

[0003] However, the prior art have limitations. One such limitation is the failure of the prior art in providing a footwear accessory that will entirely, or near entirely, cover the outer surfaces of the footwear when attached thereto. The prior art have also failed to provide a multi-part attachment of footwear accessories, such as, a plug member which matingly engaged with premanufactured footwear holes, with the plug member also configured as an attachment point for the primary footwear accessory to attach thereto to be carried by the footwear. Moreover, the prior art have failed to provide a footwear accessory that removably attached to footwear using two types of attachment. Additionally, the prior art have failed to provide a footwear accessory that attaches to footwear and covers a substantial portion of the footwear, and also including an attachment and / or securing member that removably secures to the rearward / heel portion of the footwear.

[0004] There is a need for a footwear accessory that will entirely, or near entirely, cover the outer surfaces of the footwear when attached thereto, such that the footwear is not, and / or substantially not, visible while the footwear accessory is covering the footwear. There is also a need for a footwear accessory that provides a multi-part attachment of the footwear accessory to increased securement of the footwear accessory to the footwear. There is also a need for a footwear accessory that does not require changes or modifications to be made to the footwear member to allow for the footwear accessory to be mounted on, attached to, and / or covering the footwear. Additionally, there is a need for a footwear accessory that attached to footwear using multiple types of attachment. Furthermore, there is a need for a footwear accessory that attaches to and covers a substantial portion of footwear, which also includes a securing member that additionally and removably secures the footwear member to the rearward / heel portion of the footwear.

[0005] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2011 / 0209358 by Gentry discloses a shoe cover intended for decorating footwear with patterns, designs, attachments, and logos, with the shoe cover designed to be placed over a shoe and including an open top to allows for a foot of a user to have access to the shoe, and the shoe cover being attached to the shoe by a sewing or gluing hook-and-loop attachments to the shoe. However, Gentry fails to address one or more the above needs.

[0006] Canadian Patent Document 2,638,356 to Gregory discloses a shoe attachment device to be attached to a shoe for decoration including a pair of support posts that are inserted into the top holes of premanufactured in shoes, and an elastic member that is spanned between the pair of support posts. Gregory further discloses that a decorative member is carried by the elastic member while the elastic member is spanned between the pair of support posts, such as beads. However, Gregory also fails to address one or more of the above needs.

[0007] U.S. Design Pat. No. D0765,965 to Kaupelis discloses an ornamental design for an interchangeable footwear covering to cover footwear, comprising a solid structural item that includes two attachment members towards a top portion to engage footwear and cover a top and frontal portion of the footwear. However, Kaupelis yet also fails to address one or more of the above needs.

[0008] International Patent Application Publication No. WO2010 / 096839 by Lerner et al. discloses a cover assembly for covering and decorating shoes by covering the toe box of the shoe, and uses a strap to encircle the shoe to hold the cover on the toe box. Lerner et al. further discloses that the strap includes a left part and a right part that interconnect by a rear strap part at the heel of the shoe. However, Lerner et al. also fails to address one or more of the above needs.

[0009] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2024 / 0049838 by Hermiller et al. discloses a shoe accessory that removably attaches to a polygonal / trapezoidal hole contemplated to be present on a shoe. Hermiller et al. further discloses that the shoe accessory includes an outer flange, an inner flange, and a connecting portion between the outer flange and the inner flange, that the inner flange has a length that is greater than the length of the outer flange, and that inserting the inner flange into the polygonal hole of the shoe causes the polygonal hole to only be stretched along a single axis. However, Hermiller et al. yet also fails to address one or more of the above needs.

[0010] Thus, the prior art, taken alone or in combination, fail to address each and every, or at least one of the above needs, which leaves a need for a solution to be provided therefor, and which is one of the objectives of the present invention.

[0011] This background information is provided to reveal information believed by the applicant to be of possible relevance to the present invention. No admission is necessarily intended, nor should be construed, that any of the preceding information constitutes prior art against the present invention.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] With the above in mind, embodiments of the present invention are related to an apparatus that may be mountable on footwear. The apparatus may comprise one or more of a body member, a cover member, one or more connection element(s), and / or one or more anchor member(s). The body member may have an upper body face and a lower body face. The cover member may be overlaying the upper body face. The connection element(s) may be attached to a portion of the lower body face. The anchor member(s) may removably matingly engage with one or more footwear through-holes of a footwear item that may include one or more footwear through-holes.

[0013] The anchor member(s) may each comprise an insertion portion and / or an attachment portion. The insertion portion may be configured to be inserted through one of the footwear through-hole(s). The attachment portion may be configured overlay the footwear through-hole that the insertion portion is / was inserted through, and the attachment portion may be configured to be removably attached to one or more of the connection element(s). The body member may be movable between a mounted position and an unmounted position. The mounted position may be defined as the body member substantially covering and substantially occluding upper and outer surfaces of the footwear item. The unmounted position may be defined as the body member not covering and not substantially occluding the upper and outer surfaces of the footwear item.

[0014] The body member may include an upper edge and / or side edges. While the body member is in the mounted position, the upper edge and the side edges may form a perimeter positioned adjacent to and / or following alongside a majority of a lower outer perimeter of the footwear item. While the body member is in the mounted position, the upper edge and the side edges of the body member may be adjacent to, and / or may not positioned lower than, a base perimeter of the footwear item. The body member may also include lower edges. While the body member is in the mounted position the lower edges may be about vertically aligned with one another and / or may be positioned proximate to a rearward portion of the footwear item.

[0015] Some embodiments of the present invention may include a reinforcement member which may be overlaying an anterior portion of the lower body face. The anchor member(s) may be movable between an anchored position and an unanchored position. The anchored position may be defined as while the anchor member(s) is matingly engaged with and / or carried by the respective one of the plurality of footwear through-holes. The unanchored position may be defined as while the anchor member(s) is separate and / or spaced apart from the footwear item.

[0016] While the anchor member is in the anchored position, the insertion portion may be within an interior space of the footwear item and / or positioned adjacent to the respective one of the plurality of footwear through-holes, and / or the attachment portion may be overlaying the respective footwear through-hole and / or positioned exterior to the footwear item. The connection element(s) may removably attach to the attachment portion of the anchor member(s) while both the anchor member(s) is in the anchored position and the body member is in the mounted position.

[0017] Some embodiments of the present invention may further comprise a strap member that may be moveable between a tied position and an untied position. Also, in some embodiments of the present invention, the body member may further include a first strap point and a second strap point. The tied position may be defined as when and / or while a first end portion of the strap member attached to the first strap point, and a second end portion of the strap member is removably attached to the second strap point.

[0018] The body member may have inner edges. While both the body member is in the mounted position and the strap member is in the tied position, the inner edges and the strap member may form a perimeter positioned adjacent to and following alongside an upper perimeter of a foot insert opening of the footwear item. In some embodiments of the present invention, the anchor member(s) may further comprise a bridge portion. The bridge portion may have a cross-sectional perimeter that ranges between less than and about equal to a cross-sectional perimeter of each of the footwear through-holes. The attachment portion may have a cross-sectional perimeter greater than the cross-sectional perimeter of one or more of the footwear through-hole(s).BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Some embodiments of the present invention are illustrated as an example and are not limited by the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references may indicate similar elements.

[0020] FIG. 1 is an elevated perspective view and schematic diagram of a footwear apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention with the body member in the unmounted position and the strap member in the untied position.

[0021] FIG. 2 is a lowered perspective view of the footwear apparatus according to FIG. 1.

[0022] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of anchor members according to an embodiment of the present invention, shown in the anchored position and carried by a footwear item.

[0023] FIG. 4 is a top view and schematic diagram of a footwear apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, shown with the body member in the mounted position, the anchor members in the anchored position, and the strap in the tied position.

[0024] FIG. 5 is a lowered perspective view of the footwear apparatus according to FIG. 4., with the strap member shown in the untied position.

[0025] FIGS. 6A-C are side views and schematic diagrams of an anchor member according to an embodiment of the present invention.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Those of ordinary skill in the art realize that the following descriptions of the embodiments of the present invention are illustrative and are not intended to be limiting in any way. Other embodiments of the present invention will readily suggest themselves to such skilled persons having the benefit of this disclosure. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

[0027] Although the following detailed description contains many specifics for the purposes of illustration, anyone of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that many variations and alterations to the following details are within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following embodiments of the invention are set forth without any loss of generality to, and without imposing limitations upon, the claimed invention.

[0028] In this detailed description of the present invention, a person skilled in the art should note that directional terms, such as “above,”“below,”“upper,”“lower,” and other like terms are used for the convenience of the reader in reference to the drawings. Also, a person skilled in the art should notice this description may contain other terminology to convey position, orientation, and direction without departing from the principles of the present invention.

[0029] Furthermore, in this detailed description, a person skilled in the art should note that quantitative qualifying terms such as “generally,”“substantially,”“mostly,” and other terms are used, in general, to mean that the referred to object, characteristic, or quality constitutes a majority of the subject of the reference. The meaning of any of these terms is dependent upon the context within which it is used, and the meaning may be expressly modified.

[0030] An embodiment of the invention, as shown and described by the various figures and accompanying text, provides a footwear apparatus 100 that may be mounted on, carried by, and / or cover a footwear item 350. While the footwear apparatus 100 is covering and / or being carried by the footwear item 350 in the mounted position 401 the footwear apparatus 100 may substantially occlude the footwear item 350 and / or substantially occlude a majority of the footwear item 350, such that, the footwear apparatus 100 may allow for a footwear item 350 to be cosmetically repurposed, transformed, dressed, redressed, decorated, redecorated, and / or changed by the footwear apparatus 100 since substantially only the cover member 103 and / or the display item(s) 104 of the footwear apparatus 100 may be visible while the footwear apparatus 100 is covering the footwear item 350. Additionally, the footwear item 350 may be utilized to mount and / or carry a variety of footwear apparatuses 100 that each may comprise different cover members 103 and / or different display item(s) 104 as selected, determined, and / or decided by the user since embodiments of the footwear apparatus 100 may be removable from the mounted position 401 from the footwear item 350 to allow another and / or different footwear apparatus 100 having a different cover member 103 and / or having different display items 104 to be mounted on that footwear item 350. Those who may have skill in the art may notice and appreciate that the embodiments of the present invention provides users of the present invention the advantageous ability to superficially change and / or repurpose footwear items 350 as determined by the user without hindering the performance and / or operation of the footwear item 350, and without the need to obtain a plurality of footwear items 350 that include multiple different designs and / or attachments that may be considerably non-removable from the footwear item 350.

[0031] Initially referring to FIGS. 1-3, the embodiments of the present invention may comprise a footwear apparatus 100 that may be removably attached, removably fixed, and / or removably carried by a footwear item 350 such as a shoe, sandal, and / or closed toed sandal. For example, the footwear item 350 may comprise a closed toed sandal such as and / or similar to the footwear sold under CROCS® (Trademark of CROCS®, Inc., U.S. trademark registration no. 3,836,415), which are well known to those who may have skill in the art, and which generally includes a plurality of openings, apertures, and / or through-holes therein / therethrough.

[0032] The footwear apparatus 100 may include a body member 101, a cover member 103, at least one connection element 201, and at least one anchor member 301. The body member 101 may comprise a flexible material, including but without limitation, one or more of a cloth, a fabric, a plastic, a composite, a rubber, a silicone, a nylon, a polyester, a synthetic fiber, an elastic fabric, an elastane, an aramid fiber, a polyurethane, a polyvinyl chloride, and / or a polyester film and / or any combination(s) thereof. The body member 101 may have an upper face and a lower face, which, without limitation, may alternatively and interchangeably be referred to as the upper body face and the lower body face, respectively.

[0033] The lower body face of the body member 101 may have a surface area that is equal to, and / or proportionally substantial to, an upper surface area of the footwear item 350. The upper surface area of the body member 101 may comprise each outer surface 353 and / or upper surface 353 of the footwear item 350. For example, without limitation, the upper and outer surfaces 353 of the footwear item 350 may include each surface of the footwear item 350 that may be visible from an elevated position relative to the footwear item 350 while, as may be understood by those who may have skill in the art, the bottom of the outer-sole of the footwear item 350 is planted on the ground and / or on a surface.

[0034] The cover member 103 may be positioned overlaying the body member 101. The cover member 103 may be attached and / or carried by the body member 101. The cover member 103 may have the same and / or about the same shape and / or dimensions as the body member 103. The cover member 103 may be positioned to cover, occlude, and / or overlay all and / or a substantial majority of the body member 101 and / or the upper body face of the body member 101. The cover member 103 may comprise a flexible material and / or the cover member 103 may comprise the same and / or a similar material as the body member 101. For example, without limitation, the cover member 103 may comprise one or more of a cloth, a fabric, a plastic, a composite, a rubber, a silicone, a nylon, a polyester, a synthetic fiber, an elastic fabric, an elastane, an aramid fiber, a polyurethane, a polyvinyl chloride, and / or a polyester film and / or any combination(s) thereof.

[0035] The cover member 103 may comprise one or more shapes, structures, and / or decorative elements such that the cover member 103 may depict and / or include one or more decorative arrangements, depictions, decorations, adornments, illustrations, abstract recreations, and / or artistic representations of one or more fictional and / or non-fictional structures, objects, elements, components, anatomic parts, caricatures, characters, abstract art, decorations, ornamentations, and / or figures as may be understood by those who may have skill in the art. For example, and without limitation, the cover member 103 may include fur and / or hair elements, and / or a shape or form that may depict a lower appendage, such as a foot of a fictional and / or non-fictional creature, animal, and / or person, such as that of a furry reptilian animal as illustratively shown in FIGS. 1-2 and 4-5.

[0036] However, without limitation, it is contemplated that the cover member 103 may comprise any one or more of a variety of shapes, structures, and / or decorative elements such that the cover member 103 may depict and / or include any one or more of a variety of decorative arrangements, depictions, decorations, adornments, illustrations, abstract recreations, and / or artistic representations of one or more fictional and / or non-fictional structures, objects, elements, components, anatomic parts, caricatures, characters, abstract art, decorations, ornamentations, and / or figures as may be understood by those who may have skill in the art.

[0037] In some embodiments of the present invention, the footwear apparatus 100 and / or the cover member 103 may include one or more display items 104. The display items 104 may be carried by and / or attached to the cover member 103. The display items 104 may comprise one or more decorative elements. For example, without limitation, the display item 104 may comprise a decorative arrangement, structure, object, protrusion, and / or adornment such as the display item 104 illustratively shown in FIGS. 1-2 and 4-5, which comprises and forms a depiction of a toe portion of a fictional / non-fictional creature that may be reptilian related. However, it is contemplated that embodiments of the present invention may include any variety and any number of display items 104 carried by and / or attached to the cover member 103 that may have a variety of shapes and / or forms to depict any number of fictional and / or non-fictional items, elements, components, anatomic parts, caricatures, characters, abstract art, decorations, ornamentations, and / or figures as may be understood by those who may have skill in the art.

[0038] The display items 104 may be carried by and / or attached to the cover member 103 and located at one or more portions of the cover member 103, such as, and without limitation, located at one or more forward portions of the cover member 103. The display items 104 may be extending at least partially distally away from the cover member 103 such that one or more of the display items 104 may be extending over and / or further than a forward edge of the cover member 103 and / or than an upper edge 107 of the body member 101.

[0039] Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 4-5, the connection element(s) 201 may be attached to and / or carried by the body member 101. The connection element(s) 201 may be attached to and / or carried by a lower portion and / or a portion of the lower body face of the body member 101. The connection element(s) 201 may be positioned adjacent to portions of one or more of an upper edge 107 and / or side edge 108, 109 of the body member 101. The connection element(s) 201 may comprise a flexible material, such as, and without limitation, the connection element(s) 201 may comprise a material comprising one or more of a cloth, a fabric, a plastic, a composite, a rubber, a silicone, a nylon, a polyester, a synthetic fiber, an elastic fabric, an elastane, an aramid fiber, a polyurethane, a polyvinyl chloride, and / or a polyester film and / or any combination(s) thereof.

[0040] The connection element(s) 201 may have an upper face and a lower face. The upper face of the connection element(s) 201 may be attached to the body member 101 and / or the lower body face of the body member 101. The lower face of the connection element(s) 201 may include an attachment element, such as, and without limitation, a hook-and-loop attachment element, as may be understood by those who may have skill in the art. However, without limitation, it is contemplated that the lower face of the connection element(s) 201 may also and / or alternatively include one or more other attachment elements, such as, and without limitation, one or more of snap / button attachment elements, magnetic fastener attachment elements, button / button-hole attachment elements, interlock-able attachment elements, reusable grip attachment elements (such as a silicone gripper face), and / or zipper attachment elements, and / or any combination(s) thereof, as may be understood by those who may have skill in the art.

[0041] In some embodiments of the present invention, the footwear apparatus 100 may comprise a single connection element 201, and / or may comprise more than one attachment element 201. The connection elements 201 may together form a perimeter adjacent to the upper edge 107 of the body member 101 and / or adjacent to forward portion(s) of the side edges 108, 109 of the body member 101. The connection elements 201 may also together have a form and / or shape that may be similar to a U-shape.

[0042] Some embodiments of the present invention may include a reinforcement member 202. The reinforcement member 202 may be attached to the body member 101. The reinforcement member 202 may be attached to a frontal and / or lower face portion of the body member 101, such as a frontal portion of the lower body face of the lower body member 101. The reinforcement member 202 may comprise a flexible material that may also have cushioning characteristics and that may include at least some shape memory characteristics, which may be similar and / or comparable to, without limitation, sponge and / or foam materials.

[0043] The reinforcement member 202 may be attached to the body member 101 and to one or more of the connection elements 201. The reinforcement member 202 may be positioned between a portion of the lower body face of the body member 101 and a portion of the upper face of one or more of the connection members 201. In some embodiments of the present invention, at least some of the attachment between one or more of the connection elements 201 and the body member 101 may be via a shared attachment thereof with the reinforcement member 202. As detailed more below, the reinforcement member 202 may provide for friction and / or wear protection to the body member 101 when and while the body member 101 and / or the apparatus is carried by a footwear item 350.

[0044] Now referring to each of FIGS. 1-6C, embodiments of the present invention may include one or more anchor members 301. The anchor members 301 may be configured to each be removably matingly engaged with a respective footwear through-hole 352 of a footwear item 350. As may be understood by those who may have skill in the art, some footwear items 350 may include one or more footwear-through holes 352, such as, and without limitation, the footwear through-holes 352 often included in open-toed sandals, as illustratively shown in FIG. 3, and for example, such as the footwear through-holes 352 generally included on CROCS@ footwear. The footwear through-holes 352 may be extending through the footwear body 351 of the footwear item 350 between an interior space 308 of the footwear item 350 and an environment exterior to the footwear item 350.

[0045] The footwear through-holes 352 may comprise a variety of shapes / sizes of inner perimeters thereof. For example, and without limitation, the footwear through-holes 352 of footwear items 350 may have a shape similar to a circle, trapezoid, cylinder, and / or a trapezoidal prism, such as the trapezoidal-like prism shaped footwear through-holes 352 illustratively shown included by the footwear item 350 in FIG. 3. The footwear through-holes 352 may extend through one or more of the upper and outer surfaces 353 of the footwear item 350.

[0046] The anchor member 301 may include an insertion portion 403 and an attachment portion 303. The insertion portion 403 may be inserted through, removably inserted into, and / or removably matingly engaged with a respective one of the footwear through-holes 352. The attachment portion 303 may be configured to overlay the respective footwear through-holes 352, which may be when and while the insertion portion 403 is inserted through, removably inserted into, and / or removably matingly engaged with the respective one of the footwear through-holes 352.

[0047] The attachment portion 303 and / or the anchor member 301 may include an attachment element, such as, and without limitation, a hook-and-loop attachment element, as may be understood by those who may have skill in the art. However, without limitation, it is contemplated that the attachment portion 303 and / or the anchor member 301 may also and / or alternatively include one or more other attachment elements, such as, and without limitation, one or more of snap / button attachment elements, magnetic fastener attachment elements, button / button-hole attachment elements, interlock-able attachment elements, reusable grip attachment elements (such as a silicone gripper face), and / or zipper attachment elements, and / or any combination(s) thereof, as may be understood by those who may have skill in the art. The attachment element of the attachment portion 303 and / or the anchor member 301 may be positioned at and / or carried by an upper and / or outer face of the attachment portion 303 and / or the anchor member 301.

[0048] The anchor member 301 may be movable between an anchored position 302 and an unanchored position 602. The unanchored position 602 may be defined as when and / or while the anchor member 301 is matingly engaged with and / or removably matingly engaged with and / or carried by the respective one of the plurality of footwear through-holes 352 of a footwear item 350. The unanchored position 602 may be defined as when and / or while the anchor member 301 is separate and / or spaced apart from the footwear through-holes 352. Interchangeably and / or alternatively, without limitation, the unanchored position 602 may be defined as when and / or while the anchor member 301 is not engaged with and / or is not removably matingly engaged with any footwear through-hole 352.

[0049] The attachment portion 303 and / or the anchor member 301 may be utilized and / or adapted to attach to / with, be fixed to / with, connect to / with, and / or grip, which may be removable, one or more portions of the connection element(s) 201. For example, without limitation, both the attachment portion 303 and / or anchor member 301 and connection element 201 may include one or more portions thereof comprising hook-and-loop attachment elements, such that, upon the attachment portion 303 and / or anchor member 301 may removably attach, fix, connect, and / or grip the connection element 201 when and while pressed into and / or in contact with one another.

[0050] In some embodiments of the present invention, the anchor member 301 may also comprise a bridge portion 305. The bridge portion 305 may extend to and between the insertion portion 403 and the attachment portion 303. The bridge portion 305 may have one end attached to and carrying the insertion portion 403, and another end thereof may be attached to an carrying the attachment portion 303. The bridge portion 305 may have a transverse cross-sectional outer perimeter that ranges between less than a transverse cross-sectional inner perimeter of one of the footwear through-holes 352 and about equal to the transverse cross-sectional inner perimeter of one of the footwear through-holes 352. However, in some embodiments of the present invention the bridge portion 305 may have a transverse cross-sectional outer perimeter that may be less than the transverse cross-sectional inner perimeter of the footwear-through holes 352. The attachment portion 303 may have a transverse cross-sectional outer perimeter and / or width that is greater than the transverse cross-sectional inner perimeter and / or width of one of the footwear through-holes 352.

[0051] The transverse cross-sectional outer perimeter of the bridge portion 305 may be less than the transverse cross-sectional outer perimeter of the insertion portion 403 and / or less than the transverse cross-sectional outer perimeter of the attachment portion 303. It should be understood, without limitation, the transverse cross-sectional outer perimeters of each of these portions 303, 305, 403 may be defined as the perimeter around a slice through the longest and widest volume of these portions 303, 305, 403, such as, a horizontal slice of these portions 303, 305, 403 as they are illustratively shown in FIG. 6C.

[0052] Some embodiments of the present invention may include a strap member 102. The strap member 102 may be movable between a tied position 402 and an untied position 106. The strap member 102 may have a first end portion attached to a portion of the body member 101, and / or a portion of the lower body face. The first end portion of the strap member 102 may be attached to a first strap point 203 that is attached to and / or carried by the body member 101. The strap member 102 may have a second end portion that may be removably attached to another portion of the body member 101, and / or another portion of the lower body face. The second end portion of the strap member 102 may be removably attached to a second strap point 204 that is attached to and / or carried by the body member 101.

[0053] In some embodiments, without limitation, the strap member 102 and the second strap point 204 may together form and / or comprise a belt-and-loop configuration. However, it is contemplated that the strap member 102 and / or the second strap point 204 may comprise any number of removably attachable tethering components as may be understood by those who may have skill in the art. The untied position 101 of the strap member 102 may be defined as when the second end portion of the strap member 102 is not attached to and / or separate from the second strap point 204. The tied position 402 of the strap member 102 may be defined as when the second end portion of the strap member 102 is removably attached to the second strap point 204 and / or to the body member 101.

[0054] The first strap point 203 may be positioned at a lower portion of the lower body face of the body member 101 and closer to an inner edge 113 of the body member 101 distal from a side edge 109 of the body member 101. The second strap point 204 may be positioned at a lower portion of the lower body face that is opposite the position of the first strap point 203. The second strap point 204 may be positioned closer to a second inner edge 112 of the body member 101 distal from a second side edge 108 of the body member 101.

[0055] Embodiments of the footwear apparatus 100 may be configured to move between an unmounted position 105 and a mounted position 401. For example, the body member 101 may be configured to move between a mounted position 401 and an unmounted position 105. The mounted position 401 may be defined as when and / or while the body member 101 is positioned substantially covering and / or substantially occluding at least one and / or a majority of the upper and outer surfaces 353 of a footwear item 350 and / or of the body 351 of the footwear item 350. For example, without limitation, when and / or while the body member 101 is in the covered position, the body member 101 may substantially cover and / or occlude at least one and / or a majority of the outer facing surfaces of the upper, quarter, vamp, tongue, sole, and / or midsole of the footwear item 350 as may be understood by those who may have skill in the art. However, in some embodiments of the present invention that may be preferred over some embodiments, the body member 101 may be sized and shaped such that the body member 101 does not cover and / or come into physical contact with the outsole of the footwear item 350 while in the mounted position 401.

[0056] When the body member 101 is moved to the mounted position 401 and / or while the body member 101 is in the mounted position 401, one or more of the connection elements 201 may be positioned facing and / or adjacent to one or more of the attachment portion(s) 303 of the anchor member(s) 301 such that the connection element(s) 201 and the anchor member(s) 301 and / or attachment portion(s) 303 are caused to be attached and / or removably attached to one another. The unmounted position 105 of the body member 101 may be defined as when and / or while the body member 101 is not covering and / or not substantially occluding the upper and outer surfaces 353 of the footwear item 350 / footwear body 351. Also, and / or alternatively, the unmounted position 105 of the body member 101 may be defined as when and / or while the body member 101 is separate and spaced apart from the footwear item 350 and / or footwear body 351.

[0057] When and / or while the body member 101 is the mounted position 401, the upper edge 107 and / or side edges 108, 109 of the body member 101 may form a perimeter that may at positioned adjacent to and following alongside at least a majority of a lower outer perimeter 306 of the footwear item 350 / body 351. In some embodiments of the present invention, the lower outer perimeter 306 of the footwear item 350 may comprise a perimeter that is positioned along and / or adjacent to at least a majority of a feather edge of the footwear item 350, as may be understood by those who may have skill in the art.

[0058] When and / or while the body member 101 is in the mounted position 401, the upper edge 107 and the side edges 108, 109 of the body member 101 may be, and / or may form a perimeter that may be, positioned adjacent to at least a majority of a base perimeter 307 of the footwear item 350. Also, in some embodiments of the present invention, when and / or while the body member 101 is in the mounted position 401, the upper edge 107 and the side edges 108, 109 of the body member 101 may be, and / or may form a perimeter thereby that may be, at a position that is following alongside and / or not below the base perimeter 307 of the footwear item 350, for example, such that each portion of the perimeter formed by the upper edge 107 and the side edges 108, 109 of the body member 101 while in the mounted position 401 are not below and / or in physical contact with the outsole of the footwear item 350.

[0059] When and / or while the body member 101 is in the mounted position 401, the lower edges 112, 113 of the body member 101 may be positioned aligned with and / or vertically aligned with one another. Also, When and / or while the body member 101 is in the mounted position 401, the lower edges 112, 113 of the body member 101 may be positioned proximate to a rearward portion of the footwear item 350. The rearward portion of the footwear item 350 may comprise, for example and without limitation, the heel of the footwear item 350 as may be understood by those who may have skill in the art.

[0060] When and / or while both the body member 101 is in the mounted position 401 and the strap member 102 is in the tied position 402, the strap member 102 may be abutting and / or surrounding and / or covering at least a portion of one of more of the outer facing surfaces 308 at and / or adjacent to the heel of the footwear item 350. the When and / or while both the body member 101 is in the mounted position 401 and the strap member 102 is in the tied position 402, the inner edges 112, 113 and the strap member 102 may form a perimeter that may be at a position adjacent to and / or following alongside an upper perimeter 355 of a foot insert opening 354 of the footwear item 350. Without limitation, and as may be understood by those who may have skill in the art, the upper perimeter 355 may comprise an upper perimeter of the collar of the footwear item 350.

[0061] In some embodiments of the present invention the body member 101 may include slack portion 205. The slack portion 205 may comprise a predetermined additional amount of material of the body member 101 such that the body member 101 may cover and / or occlude the upper and / or outer surfaces 353 of the footwear item 350 while in the mounted position 401 such that the body member 101 may not stretch and / or may not significantly stretch when moving from the unmounted position 105 to the mounted position 401.

[0062] In some embodiments of the present invention, the insertion portion 403 of the anchor member 301 may have a height, width, transverse cross-section, and / or outer perimeter that may be equal to and / or larger / greater than a height, width, transverse cross-section, and / or inner perimeter of a respective at least one of the footwear through-holes 352. The footwear item 350 and / or footwear body 351 of the footwear item 350 may comprise a material that is at least modestly elastic. For example, without limitation, and as may be understood by those who may have skill in the art, the footwear of CROCS® comprise an elastic petroleum-based material that have at least a modest elastic characteristic. When and / or while moving the anchor member 301 from the unanchored position 602 to the anchored position 302, the insertion portion 403 may cause the inner perimeter of the footwear through-hole 352 to increase as the insertion portion 403 is moved through the footwear through-hole 352. As such, the insertion portion 403 of the anchor member 301 may have to be moderately forced and / or worked into and / or through the footwear through-hole 352 to move the insertion portion 403 into / at a position within the interior space 308 of the footwear item 350 and / or to move the anchor member 301 to the anchored position 302.

[0063] Those who may have skill in the art may notice and appreciate that, in embodiments of the present invention that include anchor member(s) 301 with an insertion portion 403 that has a height, width, transverse cross-section, and / or outer perimeter which is equal to and / or larger / greater than the height, width, transverse cross-section, and / or inner perimeter of the footwear through-holes 352, may advantageously allow and / or provide for the insertion portion 403 to prevent and / or reduce the ability of the anchor member 301 from unintentionally and / or accidentally moving from the anchored position 302 to the unanchored position 602.

[0064] In some embodiments of the present invention, the attachment portion 303 of one or more of the anchor member(s) 301 may have a width of about 1.375 inches and a height of about 1.125 inches. However, it is contemplated that the attachment portion 202 of the anchor member(s) 301 may have a variety of other widths and / or heights. However, without limitation, it may be preferred in embodiments of the present invention for the attachment portion 303 to have a width and / or height that is at least equal to or greater than the width and / or than the height of the footwear through-holes 352 of the footwear item 350.

[0065] Now referring to FIGS. 1-3, further, additional and / or alternative structural features and / or structural limitations of some embodiments of the footwear apparatus 100 may now be described. in some embodiments of the present invention, the lower body face of the body member 101 may have a surface area which may be between less than and about equal to a surface area of the upper and outer surfaces 353 of the footwear item 350. The body member 101, while substantially positioned in a fully laid-out position, such as when / while the body member 101 is in the unmounted position illustratively shown in FIG. 2, may have a form and / or shape similar to an “A,”“U,” and / or “V” shape.

[0066] As mentioned further above, the body member 101 may have an upper edge 107, side edges 108, 109, lower edges 110, 111, and / or inner edges 112, 113. The upper edge 107 may be located along a portion of an upper and / or forward perimeter of the body member 101. The upper edge 107 may have a curved shape and / or one or more curvatures there along. The upper edge 107 may have a curved shape which may be configured to substantially match and / or align with an upper and / or forward portion of the lower outer perimeter 306 of a footwear item 350 when / while the body member 101 is in the mounted position 401.

[0067] The side edges 108, 109 may comprise a first side edge 108 and a second side edge 109. The side edges 108, 109 may extend in a downward and / or rearward direction from respective ends of the upper edge 107. The side edges 108, 109 may have a curved shape and / or one or more curvatures there along. The side edges 108, 109 may have a curved shape which may be configured to substantially match and / or align with respective side portions of the lower outer perimeter 306 of a footwear item 350 when / while the body member 101 is in the mounted position 401.

[0068] The lower edges 110, 111 may comprise a first lower edge 110 and a second lower edge 111. The lower edges 110, 111 may each extend from a respective lower end of the side edges 108, 109 towards a longitudinal axis extending through and along a center of the body member 101 when / while in the unmounted position 401 as illustratively shown in FIGS. 1-2. Also, and / or alternatively, the lower edges 110, 111 may be extending from respective lower ends of the side edges 108, 109 towards one another. The total length of the lower edges 110, 111 may be less than a total width of the body member 101 when / while the body member 101 is in the unmounted position 401. The lower edges 110, 111 may have a curved shape and / or one or more curvatures there along.

[0069] The inner edges 112, 113 may comprise a first inner edge 112 and a second inner edge 113. The inner edges 112, 113 may each extend from a respective proximally inward end of the lower edges 110, 111 towards a mid-portion of the body member 101 when / while the body member 101 is in the unmounted position, and whereat another end of each of the inner edges 112, 113 may meet and / or be attached to one another. For example, without limitation, the first inner edge 112 may be extend from a first end thereof, which is in communication and / or attached to an inner end of the first lower edge 110, to a second end thereof proximal to a mid and / or central area and / or portion of the body member 101, and the second inner edge 113 may be extend from a first end thereof, which is in communication and / or attached to an inward positioned end of the first lower edge 110, to a second end thereof proximal to a mid and / or central area and / or portion of the body member 101, and whereat, each of the seconds end of the inner edges 112, 113 may meet and / or be attached / connected to one another.

[0070] In light of the above description of the various embodiments of the present invention and the accompanying figures, a few method aspects of the footwear apparatus 100 may now be described. A method of mounting the footwear apparatus 100 to a footwear item 350 may include moving at least one anchor member 301 from the unanchored position 602 to the anchored position 302, which may include inserting the insertion portion 403 of the one or more anchor member(s) 301 through a respective footwear through-hole 352 of the footwear item 350. Inserting the insertion portion 403 through the respective through-hole 352 may include positioning the insertion portion 403 within an interior space 308 of the footwear item 350, which may be adjacent to and / or proximate to the respective footwear through-holes 352.

[0071] Also, inserting the insertion portion 403 through the respective footwear through-hole 352 may include positioning the attachment portion 303 of the anchor member 301 to be overlaying and / or partially covering the respective footwear through-hole 352. Inserting the insertion portion 403 through the respective footwear through-hole 352 may additionally include positioning a bridge portion 305 of the anchor member 301 to be extending through and / or within the respective footwear through-hole 352.

[0072] The method may further include moving the body member 101 from the unmounted position 105 to the mounted position 401. Moving the body member 101 from the unmounted position 105 to the mounted position 401 may include moving the body member 101 to be covering at least a portion of and / or a majority of the upper and / or outer surfaces 308 of the footwear item 350, such that a lower surface and / or lower body face of the body member 101 may be overlaying at least a portion and / or a majority of the upper and / or outer surfaces 308 of the footwear item 350.

[0073] Moving the body member 101 to be covering at least a portion of and / or a majority of the upper and / or outer surfaces 308 of the footwear item 350 may include positioning the upper edge 107 of the body member 101 proximate to and / or following alongside a frontal portion of a lower outer perimeter 306 of the footwear item 350. Moving the body member 101 to be covering at least a portion of and / or a majority of the upper and / or outer surfaces 308 of the footwear item 350 may further include positioning side edges 108, 109 of the body member 101 each be proximate to and / or allowing alongside respective side portions of the lower outer perimeter 306 of the footwear item 350.

[0074] Moving the body member 101 to be covering at least a portion of and / or a majority of the upper and / or outer surfaces 308 of the footwear item 350 may also include positioning lower edges 110, 111 of the body member 101 to be positioned adjacent to one another and / or adjacent to a heel portion of the footwear item 350, and / or to be positioned significantly parallel with one another. Moving the body member 101 to be covering at least a portion of and / or a majority of the upper and / or outer surfaces 308 of the footwear item 350 may additionally include moving inner edges 112, 113 of the body member 101 to be positioned adjacent to and / or significantly following alongside at least a portion of an upper perimeter 355 of a foot insert opening 354.

[0075] The method may further include moving a strap member 102 from an untied position 106 to a tied position 402. Moving the strap member 102 from an untied position 106 to a tied position 402 may include positioning the strap member 102 to be covering, overlaying, and / or surrounding at least a portion of the upper and / or outer surfaces 353 of the footwear item 350 at and / or adjacent to a rearward facing portion and / or heel portion of the footwear item 350. Moving the strap member 102 from an untied position 106 to a tied position 402 may also include attaching and / or removably attaching a second end portion of the strap member 102 to the body member 101, the lower body face, and / or to a second strap point 204 on the body member 101. Attaching and / or removably attaching a second end portion of the strap member 102 to the body member 101, the lower body face, and / or to a second strap point 204 on the body member 101 may include positioning the strap member 102 to be extending from a first strap point 203 of the body member 101 to the second strap point 204.

[0076] The method may further include positioning the anchor member(s) 301 and / or attachment portion(s) 303 of the anchor member(s) 301 to be positioned proximate to and / or abutting at least a portion of one or more connection element(s) 201 carried by the body member 101. Positioning the anchor member(s) 301 and / or attachment portion(s) 303 of the anchor member(s) 301 to be positioned proximate to and / or abutting at least a portion of one or more connection element(s) 201 may include attaching, removably attaching, and / or causing the attachment portion(s) 303 / anchor member(s) 301 to be attached and / or removably attached to at least a portion of the connection element(s) 201. The method may further include using the footwear item 350, as may be understood by those who may have skill in the art, for example, by a user using the footwear item 350 carrying the footwear apparatus 100 by inserting the user inserting his or her foot into the footwear item 350 to wear the footwear item 350.

[0077] Some of the illustrative aspects of the present invention may be advantageous in solving the problems herein described and other problems not discussed which are discoverable by a skilled artisan.

[0078] While the above description contains much specificity, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of any embodiment, but as exemplifications of the presented embodiments thereof. Many other ramifications and variations are possible within the teachings of the various embodiments. While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made, and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best or only mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. Also, in the drawings and the description, there have been disclosed exemplary embodiments of the invention and, although specific terms may have been employed, they are unless otherwise stated used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention therefore not being so limited. Moreover, the use of the terms first, second, etc. do not denote any order or importance, but rather the terms first, second, etc. are used to distinguish one element from another. Furthermore, the use of the terms a, an, etc. do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item.

[0079] Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, and not by the examples given.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0026]The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Those of ordinary skill in the art realize that the following descriptions of the embodiments of the present invention are illustrative and are not intended to be limiting in any way. Other embodiments of the present invention will readily suggest themselves to such skilled persons having the benefit of this disclosure. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

[0027]Although the following detailed description contains many specifics for the purposes of illustration, anyone of ordinary skill in th...

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to systems and methods for a footwear apparatus to be carried by footwear.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Accessories for footwear items, such as shoes or sandals, are generally well known. The prior art include footwear items that have portions or areas thereon configured to attach and detach from various accessories. The prior art typically include fastening points on the footwear item, such as hook-and-loop fasteners or buttons, and with the accessories attaching or being fixed to the footwear item via similar and / or congruent uniting fasteners. The prior art disclose using a specifically developed shoe therefor, and also accessories configured to attach to third-party shoes that are generally known to be common to most potential intended users of the prior art. The prior art further disclose various types and kinds of attachable footwear accessories of different shapes, sizes, and structures, such as, decorative beads, decorative ropes, protection coverings, and footwear reinforcements. The footwear reinforcements are intended to cover or plug one or more holes commonly found included in some third-party shoes, such as, to cover or plug the holes typically found in closed-toed sandals to prevent debris from moving into the footwear item through its included manufactured holes.

[0003] However, the prior art have limitations. One such limitation is the failure of the prior art in providing a footwear accessory that will entirely, or near entirely, cover the outer surfaces of the footwear when attached thereto. The prior art have also failed to provide a multi-part attachment of footwear accessories, such as, a plug member which matingly engaged with premanufactured footwear holes, with the plug member also configured as an attachment point for the primary footwear accessory to attach thereto to be carried by the footwear. Moreover, the prior art have failed to provide a footwear accessory that removably attached to footwear using two types of attachment. Additionally, the prior art have failed to provide a footwear accessory that attaches to footwear and covers a substantial portion of the footwear, and also including an attachment and / or securing member that removably secures to the rearward / heel portion of the footwear.

[0004] There is a need for a footwear accessory that will entirely, or near entirely, cover the outer surfaces of the footwear when attached thereto, such that the footwear is not, and / or substantially not, visible while the footwear accessory is covering the footwear. There is also a need for a footwear accessory that provides a multi-part attachment of the footwear accessory to increased securement of the footwear accessory to the footwear. There is also a need for a footwear accessory that does not require changes or modifications to be made to the footwear member to allow for the footwear accessory to be mounted on, attached to, and / or covering the footwear. Additionally, there is a need for a footwear accessory that attached to footwear using multiple types of attachment. Furthermore, there is a need for a footwear accessory that attaches to and covers a substantial portion of footwear, which also includes a securing member that additionally and removably secures the footwear member to the rearward / heel portion of the footwear.

[0005] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2011 / 0209358 by Gentry discloses a shoe cover intended for decorating footwear with patterns, designs, attachments, and logos, with the shoe cover designed to be placed over a shoe and including an open top to allows for a foot of a user to have access to the shoe, and the shoe cover being attached to the shoe by a sewing or gluing hook-and-loop attachments to the shoe. However, Gentry fails to address one or more the above needs.

[0006] Canadian Patent Document 2,638,356 to Gregory discloses a shoe attachment device to be attached to a shoe for decoration including a pair of support posts that are inserted into the top holes of premanufactured in shoes, and an elastic member that is spanned between the pair of support posts. Gregory further discloses that a decorative member is carried by the elastic member while the elastic member is spanned between the pair of support posts, such as beads. However, Gregory also fails to address one or more of the above needs.

[0007] U.S. Design Pat. No. D0765,965 to Kaupelis discloses an ornamental design for an interchangeable footwear covering to cover footwear, comprising a solid structural item that includes two attachment members towards a top portion to engage footwear and cover a top and frontal portion of the footwear. However, Kaupelis yet also fails to address one or more of the above needs.

[0008] International Patent Application Publication No. WO2010 / 096839 by Lerner et al. discloses a cover assembly for covering and decorating shoes by covering the toe box of the shoe, and uses a strap to encircle the shoe to hold the cover on the toe box. Lerner et al. further discloses that the strap includes a left part and a right part that interconnect by a rear strap part at the heel of the shoe. However, Lerner et al. also fails to address one or more of the above needs.

[0009] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2024 / 0049838 by Hermiller et al. discloses a shoe accessory that removably attaches to a polygonal / trapezoidal hole contemplated to be present on a shoe. Hermiller et al. further discloses that the shoe accessory includes an outer flange, an inner flange, and a connecting portion between the outer flange and the inner flange, that the inner flange has a length that is greater than the length of the outer flange, and that inserting the inner flange into the polygonal hole of the shoe causes the polygonal hole to only be stretched along a single axis. However, Hermiller et al. yet also fails to address one or more of the above needs.

[0010] Thus, the prior art, taken alone or in combination, fail to address each and every, or at least one of the above needs, which leaves a need for a solution to be provided therefor, and which is one of the objectives of the present invention.

[0011] This background information is provided to reveal information believed by the applicant to be of possible relevance to the present invention. No admission is necessarily intended, nor should be construed, that any of the preceding information constitutes prior art against the present invention.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] With the above in mind, embodiments of the present invention are related to an apparatus that may be mountable on footwear. The apparatus may comprise one or more of a body member, a cover member, one or more connection element(s), and / or one or more anchor member(s). The body member may have an upper body face and a lower body face. The cover member may be overlaying the upper body face. The connection element(s) may be attached to a portion of the lower body face. The anchor member(s) may removably matingly engage with one or more footwear through-holes of a footwear item that may include one or more footwear through-holes.

[0013] The anchor member(s) may each comprise an insertion portion and / or an attachment portion. The insertion portion may be configured to be inserted through one of the footwear through-hole(s). The attachment portion may be configured overlay the footwear through-hole that the insertion portion is / was inserted through, and the attachment portion may be configured to be removably attached to one or more of the connection element(s). The body member may be movable between a mounted position and an unmounted position. The mounted position may be defined as the body member substantially covering and substantially occluding upper and outer surfaces of the footwear item. The unmounted position may be defined as the body member not covering and not substantially occluding the upper and outer surfaces of the footwear item.

[0014] The body member may include an upper edge and / or side edges. While the body member is in the mounted position, the upper edge and the side edges may form a perimeter positioned adjacent to and / or following alongside a majority of a lower outer perimeter of the footwear item. While the body member is in the mounted position, the upper edge and the side edges of the body member may be adjacent to, and / or may not positioned lower than, a base perimeter of the footwear item. The body member may also include lower edges. While the body member is in the mounted position the lower edges may be about vertically aligned with one another and / or may be positioned proximate to a rearward portion of the footwear item.

[0015] Some embodiments of the present invention may include a reinforcement member which may be overlaying an anterior portion of the lower body face. The anchor member(s) may be movable between an anchored position and an unanchored position. The anchored position may be defined as while the anchor member(s) is matingly engaged with and / or carried by the respective one of the plurality of footwear through-holes. The unanchored position may be defined as while the anchor member(s) is separate and / or spaced apart from the footwear item.

[0016] While the anchor member is in the anchored position, the insertion portion may be within an interior space of the footwear item and / or positioned adjacent to the respective one of the plurality of footwear through-holes, and / or the attachment portion may be overlaying the respective footwear through-hole and / or positioned exterior to the footwear item. The connection element(s) may removably attach to the attachment portion of the anchor member(s) while both the anchor member(s) is in the anchored position and the body member is in the mounted position.

[0017] Some embodiments of the present invention may further comprise a strap member that may be moveable between a tied position and an untied position. Also, in some embodiments of the present invention, the body member may further include a first strap point and a second strap point. The tied position may be defined as when and / or while a first end portion of the strap member attached to the first strap point, and a second end portion of the strap member is removably attached to the second strap point.

[0018] The body member may have inner edges. While both the body member is in the mounted position and the strap member is in the tied position, the inner edges and the strap member may form a perimeter positioned adjacent to and following alongside an upper perimeter of a foot insert opening of the footwear item. In some embodiments of the present invention, the anchor member(s) may further comprise a bridge portion. The bridge portion may have a cross-sectional perimeter that ranges between less than and about equal to a cross-sectional perimeter of each of the footwear through-holes. The attachment portion may have a cross-sectional perimeter greater than the cross-sectional perimeter of one or more of the footwear through-hole(s).BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Some embodiments of the present invention are illustrated as an example and are not limited by the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references may indicate similar elements.

[0020] FIG. 1 is an elevated perspective view and schematic diagram of a footwear apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention with the body member in the unmounted position and the strap member in the untied position.

[0021] FIG. 2 is a lowered perspective view of the footwear apparatus according to FIG. 1.

[0022] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of anchor members according to an embodiment of the present invention, shown in the anchored position and carried by a footwear item.

[0023] FIG. 4 is a top view and schematic diagram of a footwear apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, shown with the body member in the mounted position, the anchor members in the anchored position, and the strap in the tied position.

[0024] FIG. 5 is a lowered perspective view of the footwear apparatus according to FIG. 4., with the strap member shown in the untied position.

[0025] FIGS. 6A-C are side views and schematic diagrams of an anchor member according to an embodiment of the present invention.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Those of ordinary skill in the art realize that the following descriptions of the embodiments of the present invention are illustrative and are not intended to be limiting in any way. Other embodiments of the present invention will readily suggest themselves to such skilled persons having the benefit of this disclosure. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

[0027] Although the following detailed description contains many specifics for the purposes of illustration, anyone of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that many variations and alterations to the following details are within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following embodiments of the invention are set forth without any loss of generality to, and without imposing limitations upon, the claimed invention.

[0028] In this detailed description of the present invention, a person skilled in the art should note that directional terms, such as “above,”“below,”“upper,”“lower,” and other like terms are used for the convenience of the reader in reference to the drawings. Also, a person skilled in the art should notice this description may contain other terminology to convey position, orientation, and direction without departing from the principles of the present invention.

[0029] Furthermore, in this detailed description, a person skilled in the art should note that quantitative qualifying terms such as “generally,”“substantially,”“mostly,” and other terms are used, in general, to mean that the referred to object, characteristic, or quality constitutes a majority of the subject of the reference. The meaning of any of these terms is dependent upon the context within which it is used, and the meaning may be expressly modified.

[0030] An embodiment of the invention, as shown and described by the various figures and accompanying text, provides a footwear apparatus 100 that may be mounted on, carried by, and / or cover a footwear item 350. While the footwear apparatus 100 is covering and / or being carried by the footwear item 350 in the mounted position 401 the footwear apparatus 100 may substantially occlude the footwear item 350 and / or substantially occlude a majority of the footwear item 350, such that, the footwear apparatus 100 may allow for a footwear item 350 to be cosmetically repurposed, transformed, dressed, redressed, decorated, redecorated, and / or changed by the footwear apparatus 100 since substantially only the cover member 103 and / or the display item(s) 104 of the footwear apparatus 100 may be visible while the footwear apparatus 100 is covering the footwear item 350. Additionally, the footwear item 350 may be utilized to mount and / or carry a variety of footwear apparatuses 100 that each may comprise different cover members 103 and / or different display item(s) 104 as selected, determined, and / or decided by the user since embodiments of the footwear apparatus 100 may be removable from the mounted position 401 from the footwear item 350 to allow another and / or different footwear apparatus 100 having a different cover member 103 and / or having different display items 104 to be mounted on that footwear item 350. Those who may have skill in the art may notice and appreciate that the embodiments of the present invention provides users of the present invention the advantageous ability to superficially change and / or repurpose footwear items 350 as determined by the user without hindering the performance and / or operation of the footwear item 350, and without the need to obtain a plurality of footwear items 350 that include multiple different designs and / or attachments that may be considerably non-removable from the footwear item 350.

[0031] Initially referring to FIGS. 1-3, the embodiments of the present invention may comprise a footwear apparatus 100 that may be removably attached, removably fixed, and / or removably carried by a footwear item 350 such as a shoe, sandal, and / or closed toed sandal. For example, the footwear item 350 may comprise a closed toed sandal such as and / or similar to the footwear sold under CROCS® (Trademark of CROCS®, Inc., U.S. trademark registration no. 3,836,415), which are well known to those who may have skill in the art, and which generally includes a plurality of openings, apertures, and / or through-holes therein / therethrough.

[0032] The footwear apparatus 100 may include a body member 101, a cover member 103, at least one connection element 201, and at least one anchor member 301. The body member 101 may comprise a flexible material, including but without limitation, one or more of a cloth, a fabric, a plastic, a composite, a rubber, a silicone, a nylon, a polyester, a synthetic fiber, an elastic fabric, an elastane, an aramid fiber, a polyurethane, a polyvinyl chloride, and / or a polyester film and / or any combination(s) thereof. The body member 101 may have an upper face and a lower face, which, without limitation, may alternatively and interchangeably be referred to as the upper body face and the lower body face, respectively.

[0033] The lower body face of the body member 101 may have a surface area that is equal to, and / or proportionally substantial to, an upper surface area of the footwear item 350. The upper surface area of the body member 101 may comprise each outer surface 353 and / or upper surface 353 of the footwear item 350. For example, without limitation, the upper and outer surfaces 353 of the footwear item 350 may include each surface of the footwear item 350 that may be visible from an elevated position relative to the footwear item 350 while, as may be understood by those who may have skill in the art, the bottom of the outer-sole of the footwear item 350 is planted on the ground and / or on a surface.

[0034] The cover member 103 may be positioned overlaying the body member 101. The cover member 103 may be attached and / or carried by the body member 101. The cover member 103 may have the same and / or about the same shape and / or dimensions as the body member 103. The cover member 103 may be positioned to cover, occlude, and / or overlay all and / or a substantial majority of the body member 101 and / or the upper body face of the body member 101. The cover member 103 may comprise a flexible material and / or the cover member 103 may comprise the same and / or a similar material as the body member 101. For example, without limitation, the cover member 103 may comprise one or more of a cloth, a fabric, a plastic, a composite, a rubber, a silicone, a nylon, a polyester, a synthetic fiber, an elastic fabric, an elastane, an aramid fiber, a polyurethane, a polyvinyl chloride, and / or a polyester film and / or any combination(s) thereof.

[0035] The cover member 103 may comprise one or more shapes, structures, and / or decorative elements such that the cover member 103 may depict and / or include one or more decorative arrangements, depictions, decorations, adornments, illustrations, abstract recreations, and / or artistic representations of one or more fictional and / or non-fictional structures, objects, elements, components, anatomic parts, caricatures, characters, abstract art, decorations, ornamentations, and / or figures as may be understood by those who may have skill in the art. For example, and without limitation, the cover member 103 may include fur and / or hair elements, and / or a shape or form that may depict a lower appendage, such as a foot of a fictional and / or non-fictional creature, animal, and / or person, such as that of a furry reptilian animal as illustratively shown in FIGS. 1-2 and 4-5.

[0036] However, without limitation, it is contemplated that the cover member 103 may comprise any one or more of a variety of shapes, structures, and / or decorative elements such that the cover member 103 may depict and / or include any one or more of a variety of decorative arrangements, depictions, decorations, adornments, illustrations, abstract recreations, and / or artistic representations of one or more fictional and / or non-fictional structures, objects, elements, components, anatomic parts, caricatures, characters, abstract art, decorations, ornamentations, and / or figures as may be understood by those who may have skill in the art.

[0037] In some embodiments of the present invention, the footwear apparatus 100 and / or the cover member 103 may include one or more display items 104. The display items 104 may be carried by and / or attached to the cover member 103. The display items 104 may comprise one or more decorative elements. For example, without limitation, the display item 104 may comprise a decorative arrangement, structure, object, protrusion, and / or adornment such as the display item 104 illustratively shown in FIGS. 1-2 and 4-5, which comprises and forms a depiction of a toe portion of a fictional / non-fictional creature that may be reptilian related. However, it is contemplated that embodiments of the present invention may include any variety and any number of display items 104 carried by and / or attached to the cover member 103 that may have a variety of shapes and / or forms to depict any number of fictional and / or non-fictional items, elements, components, anatomic parts, caricatures, characters, abstract art, decorations, ornamentations, and / or figures as may be understood by those who may have skill in the art.

[0038] The display items 104 may be carried by and / or attached to the cover member 103 and located at one or more portions of the cover member 103, such as, and without limitation, located at one or more forward portions of the cover member 103. The display items 104 may be extending at least partially distally away from the cover member 103 such that one or more of the display items 104 may be extending over and / or further than a forward edge of the cover member 103 and / or than an upper edge 107 of the body member 101.

[0039] Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 4-5, the connection element(s) 201 may be attached to and / or carried by the body member 101. The connection element(s) 201 may be attached to and / or carried by a lower portion and / or a portion of the lower body face of the body member 101. The connection element(s) 201 may be positioned adjacent to portions of one or more of an upper edge 107 and / or side edge 108, 109 of the body member 101. The connection element(s) 201 may comprise a flexible material, such as, and without limitation, the connection element(s) 201 may comprise a material comprising one or more of a cloth, a fabric, a plastic, a composite, a rubber, a silicone, a nylon, a polyester, a synthetic fiber, an elastic fabric, an elastane, an aramid fiber, a polyurethane, a polyvinyl chloride, and / or a polyester film and / or any combination(s) thereof.

[0040] The connection element(s) 201 may have an upper face and a lower face. The upper face of the connection element(s) 201 may be attached to the body member 101 and / or the lower body face of the body member 101. The lower face of the connection element(s) 201 may include an attachment element, such as, and without limitation, a hook-and-loop attachment element, as may be understood by those who may have skill in the art. However, without limitation, it is contemplated that the lower face of the connection element(s) 201 may also and / or alternatively include one or more other attachment elements, such as, and without limitation, one or more of snap / button attachment elements, magnetic fastener attachment elements, button / button-hole attachment elements, interlock-able attachment elements, reusable grip attachment elements (such as a silicone gripper face), and / or zipper attachment elements, and / or any combination(s) thereof, as may be understood by those who may have skill in the art.

[0041] In some embodiments of the present invention, the footwear apparatus 100 may comprise a single connection element 201, and / or may comprise more than one attachment element 201. The connection elements 201 may together form a perimeter adjacent to the upper edge 107 of the body member 101 and / or adjacent to forward portion(s) of the side edges 108, 109 of the body member 101. The connection elements 201 may also together have a form and / or shape that may be similar to a U-shape.

[0042] Some embodiments of the present invention may include a reinforcement member 202. The reinforcement member 202 may be attached to the body member 101. The reinforcement member 202 may be attached to a frontal and / or lower face portion of the body member 101, such as a frontal portion of the lower body face of the lower body member 101. The reinforcement member 202 may comprise a flexible material that may also have cushioning characteristics and that may include at least some shape memory characteristics, which may be similar and / or comparable to, without limitation, sponge and / or foam materials.

[0043] The reinforcement member 202 may be attached to the body member 101 and to one or more of the connection elements 201. The reinforcement member 202 may be positioned between a portion of the lower body face of the body member 101 and a portion of the upper face of one or more of the connection members 201. In some embodiments of the present invention, at least some of the attachment between one or more of the connection elements 201 and the body member 101 may be via a shared attachment thereof with the reinforcement member 202. As detailed more below, the reinforcement member 202 may provide for friction and / or wear protection to the body member 101 when and while the body member 101 and / or the apparatus is carried by a footwear item 350.

[0044] Now referring to each of FIGS. 1-6C, embodiments of the present invention may include one or more anchor members 301. The anchor members 301 may be configured to each be removably matingly engaged with a respective footwear through-hole 352 of a footwear item 350. As may be understood by those who may have skill in the art, some footwear items 350 may include one or more footwear-through holes 352, such as, and without limitation, the footwear through-holes 352 often included in open-toed sandals, as illustratively shown in FIG. 3, and for example, such as the footwear through-holes 352 generally included on CROCS@ footwear. The footwear through-holes 352 may be extending through the footwear body 351 of the footwear item 350 between an interior space 308 of the footwear item 350 and an environment exterior to the footwear item 350.

[0045] The footwear through-holes 352 may comprise a variety of shapes / sizes of inner perimeters thereof. For example, and without limitation, the footwear through-holes 352 of footwear items 350 may have a shape similar to a circle, trapezoid, cylinder, and / or a trapezoidal prism, such as the trapezoidal-like prism shaped footwear through-holes 352 illustratively shown included by the footwear item 350 in FIG. 3. The footwear through-holes 352 may extend through one or more of the upper and outer surfaces 353 of the footwear item 350.

[0046] The anchor member 301 may include an insertion portion 403 and an attachment portion 303. The insertion portion 403 may be inserted through, removably inserted into, and / or removably matingly engaged with a respective one of the footwear through-holes 352. The attachment portion 303 may be configured to overlay the respective footwear through-holes 352, which may be when and while the insertion portion 403 is inserted through, removably inserted into, and / or removably matingly engaged with the respective one of the footwear through-holes 352.

[0047] The attachment portion 303 and / or the anchor member 301 may include an attachment element, such as, and without limitation, a hook-and-loop attachment element, as may be understood by those who may have skill in the art. However, without limitation, it is contemplated that the attachment portion 303 and / or the anchor member 301 may also and / or alternatively include one or more other attachment elements, such as, and without limitation, one or more of snap / button attachment elements, magnetic fastener attachment elements, button / button-hole attachment elements, interlock-able attachment elements, reusable grip attachment elements (such as a silicone gripper face), and / or zipper attachment elements, and / or any combination(s) thereof, as may be understood by those who may have skill in the art. The attachment element of the attachment portion 303 and / or the anchor member 301 may be positioned at and / or carried by an upper and / or outer face of the attachment portion 303 and / or the anchor member 301.

[0048] The anchor member 301 may be movable between an anchored position 302 and an unanchored position 602. The unanchored position 602 may be defined as when and / or while the anchor member 301 is matingly engaged with and / or removably matingly engaged with and / or carried by the respective one of the plurality of footwear through-holes 352 of a footwear item 350. The unanchored position 602 may be defined as when and / or while the anchor member 301 is separate and / or spaced apart from the footwear through-holes 352. Interchangeably and / or alternatively, without limitation, the unanchored position 602 may be defined as when and / or while the anchor member 301 is not engaged with and / or is not removably matingly engaged with any footwear through-hole 352.

[0049] The attachment portion 303 and / or the anchor member 301 may be utilized and / or adapted to attach to / with, be fixed to / with, connect to / with, and / or grip, which may be removable, one or more portions of the connection element(s) 201. For example, without limitation, both the attachment portion 303 and / or anchor member 301 and connection element 201 may include one or more portions thereof comprising hook-and-loop attachment elements, such that, upon the attachment portion 303 and / or anchor member 301 may removably attach, fix, connect, and / or grip the connection element 201 when and while pressed into and / or in contact with one another.

[0050] In some embodiments of the present invention, the anchor member 301 may also comprise a bridge portion 305. The bridge portion 305 may extend to and between the insertion portion 403 and the attachment portion 303. The bridge portion 305 may have one end attached to and carrying the insertion portion 403, and another end thereof may be attached to an carrying the attachment portion 303. The bridge portion 305 may have a transverse cross-sectional outer perimeter that ranges between less than a transverse cross-sectional inner perimeter of one of the footwear through-holes 352 and about equal to the transverse cross-sectional inner perimeter of one of the footwear through-holes 352. However, in some embodiments of the present invention the bridge portion 305 may have a transverse cross-sectional outer perimeter that may be less than the transverse cross-sectional inner perimeter of the footwear-through holes 352. The attachment portion 303 may have a transverse cross-sectional outer perimeter and / or width that is greater than the transverse cross-sectional inner perimeter and / or width of one of the footwear through-holes 352.

[0051] The transverse cross-sectional outer perimeter of the bridge portion 305 may be less than the transverse cross-sectional outer perimeter of the insertion portion 403 and / or less than the transverse cross-sectional outer perimeter of the attachment portion 303. It should be understood, without limitation, the transverse cross-sectional outer perimeters of each of these portions 303, 305, 403 may be defined as the perimeter around a slice through the longest and widest volume of these portions 303, 305, 403, such as, a horizontal slice of these portions 303, 305, 403 as they are illustratively shown in FIG. 6C.

[0052] Some embodiments of the present invention may include a strap member 102. The strap member 102 may be movable between a tied position 402 and an untied position 106. The strap member 102 may have a first end portion attached to a portion of the body member 101, and / or a portion of the lower body face. The first end portion of the strap member 102 may be attached to a first strap point 203 that is attached to and / or carried by the body member 101. The strap member 102 may have a second end portion that may be removably attached to another portion of the body member 101, and / or another portion of the lower body face. The second end portion of the strap member 102 may be removably attached to a second strap point 204 that is attached to and / or carried by the body member 101.

[0053] In some embodiments, without limitation, the strap member 102 and the second strap point 204 may together form and / or comprise a belt-and-loop configuration. However, it is contemplated that the strap member 102 and / or the second strap point 204 may comprise any number of removably attachable tethering components as may be understood by those who may have skill in the art. The untied position 101 of the strap member 102 may be defined as when the second end portion of the strap member 102 is not attached to and / or separate from the second strap point 204. The tied position 402 of the strap member 102 may be defined as when the second end portion of the strap member 102 is removably attached to the second strap point 204 and / or to the body member 101.

[0054] The first strap point 203 may be positioned at a lower portion of the lower body face of the body member 101 and closer to an inner edge 113 of the body member 101 distal from a side edge 109 of the body member 101. The second strap point 204 may be positioned at a lower portion of the lower body face that is opposite the position of the first strap point 203. The second strap point 204 may be positioned closer to a second inner edge 112 of the body member 101 distal from a second side edge 108 of the body member 101.

[0055] Embodiments of the footwear apparatus 100 may be configured to move between an unmounted position 105 and a mounted position 401. For example, the body member 101 may be configured to move between a mounted position 401 and an unmounted position 105. The mounted position 401 may be defined as when and / or while the body member 101 is positioned substantially covering and / or substantially occluding at least one and / or a majority of the upper and outer surfaces 353 of a footwear item 350 and / or of the body 351 of the footwear item 350. For example, without limitation, when and / or while the body member 101 is in the covered position, the body member 101 may substantially cover and / or occlude at least one and / or a majority of the outer facing surfaces of the upper, quarter, vamp, tongue, sole, and / or midsole of the footwear item 350 as may be understood by those who may have skill in the art. However, in some embodiments of the present invention that may be preferred over some embodiments, the body member 101 may be sized and shaped such that the body member 101 does not cover and / or come into physical contact with the outsole of the footwear item 350 while in the mounted position 401.

[0056] When the body member 101 is moved to the mounted position 401 and / or while the body member 101 is in the mounted position 401, one or more of the connection elements 201 may be positioned facing and / or adjacent to one or more of the attachment portion(s) 303 of the anchor member(s) 301 such that the connection element(s) 201 and the anchor member(s) 301 and / or attachment portion(s) 303 are caused to be attached and / or removably attached to one another. The unmounted position 105 of the body member 101 may be defined as when and / or while the body member 101 is not covering and / or not substantially occluding the upper and outer surfaces 353 of the footwear item 350 / footwear body 351. Also, and / or alternatively, the unmounted position 105 of the body member 101 may be defined as when and / or while the body member 101 is separate and spaced apart from the footwear item 350 and / or footwear body 351.

[0057] When and / or while the body member 101 is the mounted position 401, the upper edge 107 and / or side edges 108, 109 of the body member 101 may form a perimeter that may at positioned adjacent to and following alongside at least a majority of a lower outer perimeter 306 of the footwear item 350 / body 351. In some embodiments of the present invention, the lower outer perimeter 306 of the footwear item 350 may comprise a perimeter that is positioned along and / or adjacent to at least a majority of a feather edge of the footwear item 350, as may be understood by those who may have skill in the art.

[0058] When and / or while the body member 101 is in the mounted position 401, the upper edge 107 and the side edges 108, 109 of the body member 101 may be, and / or may form a perimeter that may be, positioned adjacent to at least a majority of a base perimeter 307 of the footwear item 350. Also, in some embodiments of the present invention, when and / or while the body member 101 is in the mounted position 401, the upper edge 107 and the side edges 108, 109 of the body member 101 may be, and / or may form a perimeter thereby that may be, at a position that is following alongside and / or not below the base perimeter 307 of the footwear item 350, for example, such that each portion of the perimeter formed by the upper edge 107 and the side edges 108, 109 of the body member 101 while in the mounted position 401 are not below and / or in physical contact with the outsole of the footwear item 350.

[0059] When and / or while the body member 101 is in the mounted position 401, the lower edges 112, 113 of the body member 101 may be positioned aligned with and / or vertically aligned with one another. Also, When and / or while the body member 101 is in the mounted position 401, the lower edges 112, 113 of the body member 101 may be positioned proximate to a rearward portion of the footwear item 350. The rearward portion of the footwear item 350 may comprise, for example and without limitation, the heel of the footwear item 350 as may be understood by those who may have skill in the art.

[0060] When and / or while both the body member 101 is in the mounted position 401 and the strap member 102 is in the tied position 402, the strap member 102 may be abutting and / or surrounding and / or covering at least a portion of one of more of the outer facing surfaces 308 at and / or adjacent to the heel of the footwear item 350. the When and / or while both the body member 101 is in the mounted position 401 and the strap member 102 is in the tied position 402, the inner edges 112, 113 and the strap member 102 may form a perimeter that may be at a position adjacent to and / or following alongside an upper perimeter 355 of a foot insert opening 354 of the footwear item 350. Without limitation, and as may be understood by those who may have skill in the art, the upper perimeter 355 may comprise an upper perimeter of the collar of the footwear item 350.

[0061] In some embodiments of the present invention the body member 101 may include slack portion 205. The slack portion 205 may comprise a predetermined additional amount of material of the body member 101 such that the body member 101 may cover and / or occlude the upper and / or outer surfaces 353 of the footwear item 350 while in the mounted position 401 such that the body member 101 may not stretch and / or may not significantly stretch when moving from the unmounted position 105 to the mounted position 401.

[0062] In some embodiments of the present invention, the insertion portion 403 of the anchor member 301 may have a height, width, transverse cross-section, and / or outer perimeter that may be equal to and / or larger / greater than a height, width, transverse cross-section, and / or inner perimeter of a respective at least one of the footwear through-holes 352. The footwear item 350 and / or footwear body 351 of the footwear item 350 may comprise a material that is at least modestly elastic. For example, without limitation, and as may be understood by those who may have skill in the art, the footwear of CROCS® comprise an elastic petroleum-based material that have at least a modest elastic characteristic. When and / or while moving the anchor member 301 from the unanchored position 602 to the anchored position 302, the insertion portion 403 may cause the inner perimeter of the footwear through-hole 352 to increase as the insertion portion 403 is moved through the footwear through-hole 352. As such, the insertion portion 403 of the anchor member 301 may have to be moderately forced and / or worked into and / or through the footwear through-hole 352 to move the insertion portion 403 into / at a position within the interior space 308 of the footwear item 350 and / or to move the anchor member 301 to the anchored position 302.

[0063] Those who may have skill in the art may notice and appreciate that, in embodiments of the present invention that include anchor member(s) 301 with an insertion portion 403 that has a height, width, transverse cross-section, and / or outer perimeter which is equal to and / or larger / greater than the height, width, transverse cross-section, and / or inner perimeter of the footwear through-holes 352, may advantageously allow and / or provide for the insertion portion 403 to prevent and / or reduce the ability of the anchor member 301 from unintentionally and / or accidentally moving from the anchored position 302 to the unanchored position 602.

[0064] In some embodiments of the present invention, the attachment portion 303 of one or more of the anchor member(s) 301 may have a width of about 1.375 inches and a height of about 1.125 inches. However, it is contemplated that the attachment portion 202 of the anchor member(s) 301 may have a variety of other widths and / or heights. However, without limitation, it may be preferred in embodiments of the present invention for the attachment portion 303 to have a width and / or height that is at least equal to or greater than the width and / or than the height of the footwear through-holes 352 of the footwear item 350.

[0065] Now referring to FIGS. 1-3, further, additional and / or alternative structural features and / or structural limitations of some embodiments of the footwear apparatus 100 may now be described. in some embodiments of the present invention, the lower body face of the body member 101 may have a surface area which may be between less than and about equal to a surface area of the upper and outer surfaces 353 of the footwear item 350. The body member 101, while substantially positioned in a fully laid-out position, such as when / while the body member 101 is in the unmounted position illustratively shown in FIG. 2, may have a form and / or shape similar to an “A,”“U,” and / or “V” shape.

[0066] As mentioned further above, the body member 101 may have an upper edge 107, side edges 108, 109, lower edges 110, 111, and / or inner edges 112, 113. The upper edge 107 may be located along a portion of an upper and / or forward perimeter of the body member 101. The upper edge 107 may have a curved shape and / or one or more curvatures there along. The upper edge 107 may have a curved shape which may be configured to substantially match and / or align with an upper and / or forward portion of the lower outer perimeter 306 of a footwear item 350 when / while the body member 101 is in the mounted position 401.

[0067] The side edges 108, 109 may comprise a first side edge 108 and a second side edge 109. The side edges 108, 109 may extend in a downward and / or rearward direction from respective ends of the upper edge 107. The side edges 108, 109 may have a curved shape and / or one or more curvatures there along. The side edges 108, 109 may have a curved shape which may be configured to substantially match and / or align with respective side portions of the lower outer perimeter 306 of a footwear item 350 when / while the body member 101 is in the mounted position 401.

[0068] The lower edges 110, 111 may comprise a first lower edge 110 and a second lower edge 111. The lower edges 110, 111 may each extend from a respective lower end of the side edges 108, 109 towards a longitudinal axis extending through and along a center of the body member 101 when / while in the unmounted position 401 as illustratively shown in FIGS. 1-2. Also, and / or alternatively, the lower edges 110, 111 may be extending from respective lower ends of the side edges 108, 109 towards one another. The total length of the lower edges 110, 111 may be less than a total width of the body member 101 when / while the body member 101 is in the unmounted position 401. The lower edges 110, 111 may have a curved shape and / or one or more curvatures there along.

[0069] The inner edges 112, 113 may comprise a first inner edge 112 and a second inner edge 113. The inner edges 112, 113 may each extend from a respective proximally inward end of the lower edges 110, 111 towards a mid-portion of the body member 101 when / while the body member 101 is in the unmounted position, and whereat another end of each of the inner edges 112, 113 may meet and / or be attached to one another. For example, without limitation, the first inner edge 112 may be extend from a first end thereof, which is in communication and / or attached to an inner end of the first lower edge 110, to a second end thereof proximal to a mid and / or central area and / or portion of the body member 101, and the second inner edge 113 may be extend from a first end thereof, which is in communication and / or attached to an inward positioned end of the first lower edge 110, to a second end thereof proximal to a mid and / or central area and / or portion of the body member 101, and whereat, each of the seconds end of the inner edges 112, 113 may meet and / or be attached / connected to one another.

[0070] In light of the above description of the various embodiments of the present invention and the accompanying figures, a few method aspects of the footwear apparatus 100 may now be described. A method of mounting the footwear apparatus 100 to a footwear item 350 may include moving at least one anchor member 301 from the unanchored position 602 to the anchored position 302, which may include inserting the insertion portion 403 of the one or more anchor member(s) 301 through a respective footwear through-hole 352 of the footwear item 350. Inserting the insertion portion 403 through the respective through-hole 352 may include positioning the insertion portion 403 within an interior space 308 of the footwear item 350, which may be adjacent to and / or proximate to the respective footwear through-holes 352.

[0071] Also, inserting the insertion portion 403 through the respective footwear through-hole 352 may include positioning the attachment portion 303 of the anchor member 301 to be overlaying and / or partially covering the respective footwear through-hole 352. Inserting the insertion portion 403 through the respective footwear through-hole 352 may additionally include positioning a bridge portion 305 of the anchor member 301 to be extending through and / or within the respective footwear through-hole 352.

[0072] The method may further include moving the body member 101 from the unmounted position 105 to the mounted position 401. Moving the body member 101 from the unmounted position 105 to the mounted position 401 may include moving the body member 101 to be covering at least a portion of and / or a majority of the upper and / or outer surfaces 308 of the footwear item 350, such that a lower surface and / or lower body face of the body member 101 may be overlaying at least a portion and / or a majority of the upper and / or outer surfaces 308 of the footwear item 350.

[0073] Moving the body member 101 to be covering at least a portion of and / or a majority of the upper and / or outer surfaces 308 of the footwear item 350 may include positioning the upper edge 107 of the body member 101 proximate to and / or following alongside a frontal portion of a lower outer perimeter 306 of the footwear item 350. Moving the body member 101 to be covering at least a portion of and / or a majority of the upper and / or outer surfaces 308 of the footwear item 350 may further include positioning side edges 108, 109 of the body member 101 each be proximate to and / or allowing alongside respective side portions of the lower outer perimeter 306 of the footwear item 350.

[0074] Moving the body member 101 to be covering at least a portion of and / or a majority of the upper and / or outer surfaces 308 of the footwear item 350 may also include positioning lower edges 110, 111 of the body member 101 to be positioned adjacent to one another and / or adjacent to a heel portion of the footwear item 350, and / or to be positioned significantly parallel with one another. Moving the body member 101 to be covering at least a portion of and / or a majority of the upper and / or outer surfaces 308 of the footwear item 350 may additionally include moving inner edges 112, 113 of the body member 101 to be positioned adjacent to and / or significantly following alongside at least a portion of an upper perimeter 355 of a foot insert opening 354.

[0075] The method may further include moving a strap member 102 from an untied position 106 to a tied position 402. Moving the strap member 102 from an untied position 106 to a tied position 402 may include positioning the strap member 102 to be covering, overlaying, and / or surrounding at least a portion of the upper and / or outer surfaces 353 of the footwear item 350 at and / or adjacent to a rearward facing portion and / or heel portion of the footwear item 350. Moving the strap member 102 from an untied position 106 to a tied position 402 may also include attaching and / or removably attaching a second end portion of the strap member 102 to the body member 101, the lower body face, and / or to a second strap point 204 on the body member 101. Attaching and / or removably attaching a second end portion of the strap member 102 to the body member 101, the lower body face, and / or to a second strap point 204 on the body member 101 may include positioning the strap member 102 to be extending from a first strap point 203 of the body member 101 to the second strap point 204.

[0076] The method may further include positioning the anchor member(s) 301 and / or attachment portion(s) 303 of the anchor member(s) 301 to be positioned proximate to and / or abutting at least a portion of one or more connection element(s) 201 carried by the body member 101. Positioning the anchor member(s) 301 and / or attachment portion(s) 303 of the anchor member(s) 301 to be positioned proximate to and / or abutting at least a portion of one or more connection element(s) 201 may include attaching, removably attaching, and / or causing the attachment portion(s) 303 / anchor member(s) 301 to be attached and / or removably attached to at least a portion of the connection element(s) 201. The method may further include using the footwear item 350, as may be understood by those who may have skill in the art, for example, by a user using the footwear item 350 carrying the footwear apparatus 100 by inserting the user inserting his or her foot into the footwear item 350 to wear the footwear item 350.

[0077] Some of the illustrative aspects of the present invention may be advantageous in solving the problems herein described and other problems not discussed which are discoverable by a skilled artisan.

[0078] While the above description contains much specificity, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of any embodiment, but as exemplifications of the presented embodiments thereof. Many other ramifications and variations are possible within the teachings of the various embodiments. While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made, and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best or only mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. Also, in the drawings and the description, there have been disclosed exemplary embodiments of the invention and, although specific terms may have been employed, they are unless otherwise stated used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention therefore not being so limited. Moreover, the use of the terms first, second, etc. do not denote any order or importance, but rather the terms first, second, etc. are used to distinguish one element from another. Furthermore, the use of the terms a, an, etc. do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item.

[0079] Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, and not by the examples given.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0026]The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Those of ordinary skill in the art realize that the following descriptions of the embodiments of the present invention are illustrative and are not intended to be limiting in any way. Other embodiments of the present invention will readily suggest themselves to such skilled persons having the benefit of this disclosure. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

[0027]Although the following detailed description contains many specifics for the purposes of illustration, anyone of ordinary skill in th...

Claims

1. An apparatus mountable on footwear, the apparatus comprising:a body member having an upper body face and a lower body face;a cover member attached to and overlaying a substantial majority of the upper body face;at least one connection element attached to a portion of the lower body face; andat least one anchor member to removably matingly engage with a respective footwear through-hole of a plurality of footwear through-holes that extend through a footwear item, the at least one anchor member comprising:an insertion portion to be inserted through the respective one of the plurality of footwear through-holes; andan attachment portion to overlay the respective footwear through-hole and removably attach to the at least one connection element; andwherein the body member is movable between a mounted position and an unmounted position;wherein the mounted position is defined as the body member substantially covering and substantially occluding upper and outer surfaces of the footwear item such that the footwear item is not visible while the body member is in the mounted position; andwherein the unmounted position is defined as the body member not covering and not substantially occluding the upper and outer surfaces of the footwear item.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body member comprises an upper edge and side edges; wherein while the body member is in the mounted position, the upper edge and the side edges form a perimeter positioned adjacent to and following alongside a majority of a lower outer perimeter of the footwear item.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein while the body member is in the mounted position, the upper edge and the side edges of the body member are adjacent to, and are not positioned lower than, a base perimeter of the footwear item.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body member comprises lower edges; and wherein while the body member is in the mounted position the lower edges are about vertically aligned with one another and are positioned proximate to a rearward portion of the footwear item.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a reinforcement member overlaying an anterior portion of the lower body face.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one anchor member is movable between an anchored position and an unanchored position; wherein the anchored position is defined as while the at least one anchor member is matingly engaged with and carried by the respective one of the plurality of footwear through-holes; and wherein the unanchored position is defined as while the at least one anchor member is separate and spaced apart from the footwear item.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein while the anchor member is in the anchored position, the insertion portion is within an interior space of the footwear item and positioned adjacent to the respective one of the plurality of footwear through-holes and the attachment portion is overlaying the respective footwear through-hole and positioned exterior to the footwear item.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the at least one connection element removably attaches to the attachment portion of the at least one anchor member while both the at least one anchor member is in the anchored position and the body member is in the mounted position.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a strap member that is moveable between a tied position and an untied position; wherein the body member comprises a first strap point and a second strap point;wherein the tied position is defined as while a first end portion of the strap member is attached to the first strap point, and while a second end portion of the strap member is removably attached to the second strap point.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the body member comprises inner edges; and wherein while both the body member is in the mounted position and the strap member is in the tied position, the inner edges and the strap member form a perimeter positioned adjacent to and following alongside an upper perimeter of a foot insert opening of the footwear item.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one anchor member further comprises a bridge portion; wherein the bridge portion has a cross-sectional perimeter that ranges between less than and about equal to a cross-sectional perimeter of each of the plurality of footwear through-holes; and wherein the attachment portion has a cross-sectional perimeter greater than the cross-sectional perimeter of each of the plurality of footwear through-holes.

12. An apparatus mountable on footwear, the apparatus comprising:a body member having an upper body face, a lower body face, an upper edge, and side edges;a cover member attached to and overlaying a substantial majority of the upper body face;at least one connection element attached to a portion of the lower body face; andat least one anchor member to removably matingly engage with a respective footwear through-hole of a plurality of footwear through-holes that extend through a footwear item, the at least one anchor member comprising:an insertion portion to be inserted through the respective one of the plurality of footwear through-holes; andan attachment portion to overlay the respective footwear through-hole and removably attach to the at least one connection element; andwherein the at least one anchor member is movable between an anchored position and an unanchored position;wherein the anchored position is defined as while the at least one anchor member is matingly engaged with and carried by the respective one of the plurality of footwear through-holes;wherein the unanchored position is defined as while the at least one anchor member is separate and spaced apart from the footwear item;wherein the body member is movable between a mounted position and an unmounted position;wherein the mounted position is defined as the body member substantially covering and substantially occluding upper and outer surfaces of the footwear item such that the footwear item is not visible while the body member is in the mounted position;wherein the unmounted position is defined as the body member not covering and not substantially occluding the upper and outer surfaces of the footwear item;wherein while the body member is in the mounted position, the upper edge and the side edges form a perimeter positioned adjacent to and following alongside a majority of a lower outer perimeter of the footwear item;wherein while the body member is in the mounted position, the upper edge and the side edges of the body member are adjacent to, and are not positioned lower than, a base perimeter of the footwear item; andwherein the at least one connection element removably attaches to the attachment portion of the at least one anchor member while both the at least one anchor member is in the anchored position and the body member is in the mounted position.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the body member comprises lower edges; and wherein while the body member is in the mounted position the lower edges are about vertically aligned with one another and are positioned proximate to a rearward portion of the footwear item.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a reinforcement member overlaying an anterior portion of the lower body face.

15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein while the anchor member is in the anchored position, the insertion portion is within an interior space of the footwear item and positioned adjacent to the respective one of the plurality of footwear through-holes and the attachment portion is overlaying the respective footwear through-hole and positioned exterior to the footwear item.

16. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a strap member that is moveable between a tied position and an untied position; wherein the body member comprises a first strap point and a second strap point; wherein the tied position is defined as while a first end portion of the strap member is attached to the first strap point, and while a second end portion of the strap member is removably attached to the second strap point; wherein the body member comprises inner edges; and wherein while both the body member is in the mounted position and the strap member is in the tied position, the inner edges and the strap member form a perimeter positioned adjacent to and following alongside an upper perimeter of a foot insert opening of the footwear item.

17. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the at least one anchor member further comprises a bridge portion; wherein the bridge portion has a cross-sectional perimeter that ranges between less than and about equal to a cross-sectional perimeter of each of the plurality of footwear through-holes; and wherein the attachment portion has a cross-sectional perimeter greater than the cross-sectional perimeter of each of the plurality of footwear through-holes.

18. A method of using and mounting a footwear mountable apparatus on a footwear item which has a plurality of footwear through-holes, the apparatus including a body member having an upper body face, a lower body face, an upper edge and side edges, a cover member overlaying the upper body face, at least one connection element attached to a portion of the lower body face, at least one anchor member that is removably matingly engageable with a footwear through-hole of the plurality of footwear through-holes, the at least one anchor member comprising an insertion portion and an attachment portion that is removably attachable to the at least one connection element, and a strap member that has a first end portion attached to a first strap point carried by the body member, the method comprising:moving the at least one anchor member from an unanchored position to an anchored position by:inserting the insertion portion into a respective footwear through-hole of the plurality of footwear through holes; andoverlaying the respective footwear through-hole with the attachment portion; andmoving the body member from an unmounted position to a mounted position by:covering and substantially occluding upper and outer surfaces of the footwear item with the body member such that the footwear item is not visible while the body member is in the mounted position;forming a perimeter with the upper edge and the side edges of the body member positioned adjacent to and following alongside a majority of a lower outer perimeter of the footwear item; andattaching the at least one connection element to the attachment portion of the at least one anchor member; andmoving the strap member from an untied position to a tied position by attaching a second end portion of the strap member to a second strap point carried by the body member;wherein the upper edge and the side edges of the body member are position adjacent to, and are not positioned lower than, a base perimeter of the footwear item while the cover member is in the mounted position;wherein the at least one connection element and the attachment portion of the at least one anchor member are removably attached;wherein the second end portion of the strap member and the second strap point are removably attached.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the body member comprises lower edges and inner edges; and further comprising vertically aligning the lower edges are with one another and positioning the lower edges proximate to a rearward portion of the footwear item when the body member is in the mounted position; and wherein while both the body member is in the mounted position and the strap member is in the tied position, the inner edges and the strap member form a perimeter positioned adjacent to and following alongside an upper perimeter of a foot insert opening of the footwear item.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein inserting the insertion portion into the respective footwear through-hole includes positioning the anchor member within an interior space of the footwear item.

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