ASSEMBLY FOR COUPLING AN AESTHETIC MEMBER TO AN ACCESSORY

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001]This application claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 18/591,421 filed Feb. 29, 2024, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety

FIELD OF ENDEAVOR

[0002]The present application relates to an assembly for coupling an aesthetic member to an accessory (e.g., shoes, hand bags, belts, hats, and the like) or item of clothing. In particular, the present application relates to an assembly for removably coupling an aesthetic member to a shoe.

BACKGROUND

[0003]Shoes are intended to protect and comfort the human foot when making contact with the ground. Shoes are also used as a fashion article. Fashion has often dictated many shoe design elements, such as types of materials, colors, heel heights, and flexibility. Additionally, fashion accessories, such as hand bags, belts, hats, and the like are added to change the look or appearance of a person.

[0004]Fashion is one of the primary contributors to pollution, creating 10% of worldwide greenhouse gas emissions annually and negatively impacting our global crisis of climate change. Accordingly, a quick and easy way to add an aesthetic member to change the appearance of an accessory (e.g., shoes, hand bags, belts, hats, and the like) would be desirable and important to reducing the impact of fashion on pollution. Additionally, the ability to reuse the aesthetic member on different types of accessories (e.g., shoes, hand bags, belts, hats, and the like) would be cost effective for the user while providing an endless number of options.

SUMMARY

[0005]In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to an assembly for coupling an aesthetic member to an accessory, the assembly including: a base configured to be secured to the accessory; a topper configured to be removably coupled to the base, the topper including the aesthetic member; wherein the topper is removable to interchange the aesthetic member from the accessory.

[0006]In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to an accessory system including: an accessory; a base configured to be coupled to the accessory; a first topper configured to be removably coupled to the base, the first topper including a first aesthetic member; a second topper configured to be removably coupled to the base, the second topper including a second aesthetic member that is different form the first aesthetic member, wherein the first topper is removable and replaceable with the second topper to modify the accessory from having the first aesthetic member to the second aesthetic member.

[0007]In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method for altering a design of an accessory, the method including: providing a base coupled to the accessory; coupling a first topper to the base, the first topper including a first aesthetic member such that the accessory has a first design; removing a first topper from a base; and coupling a second topper to the base, the second topper having a second aesthetic member such that the accessory has a second design.

[0008]Other aspects of the present disclosure will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009]FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an accessory including an assembly for coupling an aesthetic member to the accessory.

[0010]FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the assembly of FIG. 1 including a base and a topper according to an embodiment.

[0011]FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the assembly of FIG. 1.

[0012]FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded view of the assembly of FIG. 1.

[0013]FIG. 5 illustrates another exploded view of the assembly of FIG. 1.

[0014]FIG. 6 illustrates a top view of the base of FIG. 1.

[0015]FIG. 7 illustrates a rear view of the topper of FIG. 1.

[0016]FIG. 8 illustrates a kit including a plurality of bases and a plurality of toppers for use with any of the plurality of bases.

[0017]FIG. 9 is an exemplary method for altering the design of an accessory.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018]Before any embodiments of the application are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the application, and the devices and method described herein, are not limited in their application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The devices and methods in this application are capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways.

[0019]FIG. 1 illustrates an assembly 10 for removably and interchangeably coupling an aesthetic member 14, 14′, 14″ to an accessory 20. In the embodiment illustrated herein, the accessory 20 is a shoe. In other or alternative embodiments, the assembly 10 may be used with another accessory (such as a handbag, belt, hat, etc.) or item of clothing (e.g., a dress, suit jacket, etc.). As shown in FIGS. 2-5, the assembly 10 includes a base 30 and a topper 40. The base 30 is configured to be coupled to the accessory 20, and the topper 40 is configured to be removably coupled to the base 30. The topper 40 includes the aesthetic member 14, such that the aesthetic member 14 is removably coupled to the accessory 20. With respect to FIG. 8, the topper 40 is removable and replaceable with another topper 40′, 40″, each having another aesthetic member 14′ 14″, as will be discussed in greater detail below, to quickly and easily alter the design or look of the accessory 20. In the illustrated embodiments, the base 30 and the topper 40 have the embodied shape, but it should be understood that the base 30 and the topper 40 may have any suitable shape.

[0020]With respect to FIGS. 2-6, the base 30 includes a body 50 having a first side 54, a second side 58 opposite the first side 54, a third side 62, and a fourth side 66 opposite the third side 62. The base 30 may be coupled to the accessory 20 via a rivet, adhesive, or other suitable coupling mechanism, as discussed in greater detail below. The coupling mechanism secures the base 30 to the accessory 20 such that the base remains in place for when the topper 40 is added and removed.

[0021]The first side 54 includes a first surface 74 that is configured to be positioned adjacent an outer surface of the accessory 20. The first surface 74 is configured to contact an outer surface of the shoe 20, such that the first surface 74 abuts the outer surface of the shoe 20. The first surface 74 may also include a first projection 78 (e.g., post) and a second projection 82 (e.g., post) extending therefrom. In the illustrated embodiment, the projections 78, 82 are part of the coupling mechanism. That is, the projections 78, 82 are configured to be a rivet foot and therefore each include an aperture extending through 86, 90 that is configured to receive and secure a cap (not shown). Although not shown, when coupled to the shoe, the projections 78, 82 may extend into and/or through a portion of the shoe such that the base 30 is positioned adjacent and contacts the outer surface of the shoe. The caps may be coupled to the projections 86, 90 from within the shoe and positioned adjacent an inner surface of the shoe to couple the base 30 to the shoe. In other embodiments, there may be a single projection or more than two projections. In other embodiments, the projections 78, 82 may be omitted such that the first surface 74 is generally smooth. In such case, the base 30 may be coupled to the shoe in other ways using other or additional coupling mechanisms, as discussed below.

[0022]In the illustrated embodiment, the body 50 is generally curved such that the second surface 74 is a generally arcuate surface. That is, the body 50 has a radial concavity having a radius R1 (FIG. 3) measured from a point on an axis 70 that extends through the body 50 from the first side 54 to the second side 58. The radial concavity of the body 50 enables the first surface 74 of the base 30 to contact a curved outer surface of the shoe. In other embodiments, the body 50 may have a radial concavity having a different radius R1. Alternatively, in other embodiments, the body 50 may not be curved, such that the first side 54 has a generally planar surface.

[0023]The second side 58 includes a second surface 100 that is configured to face outwardly from the accessory 20. In the illustrated embodiment, the second side 58 also includes a first recess 104 and a second recess 108. The first recess 104 is positioned adjacent the third side 62 and the second recess 108 is positioned adjacent the fourth side 66. A lip 112 extends about both the first recess 104 and the second recess 108 and is recessed relative to the second surface 100. In other constructions, the second side may include a single recess or more than two recesses.

[0024]As shown herein, the base 30 may additionally or alternatively include a first loop 116 coupled to and extending from the third side 62 and a second loop 120 coupled to an extending from the fourth side 120. The loops 116, 120 may be used to couple the base 30 to the shoe 20, in addition to or alternatively than the projections 86, 90. That is, in some embodiments, the loops 116, 120 may be sewn to the shoe 20 to couple the base 30 to the shoe 20. In other embodiments, the loops 116, 120 may be used to thread one or more straps therethrough (e.g., in the front at or adjacent to a toe region of the shoe, in the rear at or adjacent to an ankle region of the shoe, or anywhere in between the front and rear of the shoe). In some constructions, the first loop 116 and the second loop 120 are integral or formed with the base 30. In some embodiments, the base 30′ may have an alternative configuration in which the loops 116, 120 may be omitted therefrom (FIG. 8). When omitted, the base 30 may be riveted to the shoe (as discussed above). Alternatively, the base 30, 30′ may be coupled to the shoe in other suitable ways, such as by welding, adhesive, or another suitable method.

[0025]With respect to FIG. 6, in the illustrated embodiment, the base 30 includes a first magnet 130 and a second magnet 134. The first magnet 130 is received in the first recess 104 and the second magnet 134 is received in the second recess 108. In the illustrated embodiment, the magnets 130, 134 may be flush with the lip 112 or below the lip 112. Alternatively, the magnets 130, 134 may extend from the respective recess 104, 108 such that they project above the lip 112. In other embodiments, the base 30 may have other suitable configurations that accommodate one or more magnets. For example, the base 30 may include a single recess and a single magnet or may include a single recess and multiple magnets.

[0026]Also, with respect to FIGS. 4 and 5, in the illustrated embodiment, the base 30 has a plurality of apertures 140 that extend through the body 50 from the first side 54 to the second side 58. In other embodiments, the apertures 140 may be bores with an open end in the second side 58 and a closed end, such that the bore does do not extend all the way from the second side 58 through the body 50. The apertures 140 are positioned between the recesses 104, 108 and a peripheral edge 150 of the body 50. There are four apertures 140 in the illustrated embodiments. There are two apertures 140 that are positioned adjacent the third side 62 and two apertures 140 that are positioned adjacent the fourth side 66. In other embodiments, there may be more or fewer apertures 140 positioned at various locations adjacent the peripheral edge 150 of the body 50. In other embodiments, these apertures 140 may be omitted.

[0027]With respect to FIGS. 2-5 and 7, the topper 40 includes a body 160 having a first side 164, a second side 168 opposite the first side 164, a third side 172, and a fourth side 176 opposite the third side 172. The first side 164 of the topper 40 includes a first surface 184 and the second side 168 includes a second surface 208 that is configured to face outwardly from the accessory 20. A first projection 188 and a second projection 192 extend from the first surface 184. The first and second projections 188, 192 each include a recess 196, 200.

[0028]In the illustrated embodiment, each of the recesses 196, 200 includes a magnet 202, 204. In other embodiments, there may be more or fewer recesses 196 and more or fewer magnets 202, 204. The magnets 202, 204 are configured to attract to the respective magnets 130, 134 of the base 30. Accordingly, the magnets of the topper 40 align with and contact the magnets 130, 134 of the base 30 to couple the topper 40 to the base 30. When the topper 40 is coupled to the base 30, the projections 188, 192 are configured to be seated against (e.g., contact) the lip 112 and the first surface 184 of the topper 40 contacts the second surface 100 of the base 30. In the illustrated embodiment, a peripheral edge 212 of the topper 40 extends beyond the peripheral edge 150 of the base 30.

[0029]In the other embodiments, the magnets 202, 204 may be omitted such that the recesses 196, 200 are empty. In such case, when the topper 40 is coupled to the base 30, the recess 196 of the first projection 188 is configured to receive or be positioned adjacent to the first magnet 130 and the recess 200 of the second projection 192 is configured to receive or be positioned adjacent to the second magnet 134. Additionally, the topper 40 may be at least partially formed from metal such that the magnets 130, 134 attract to the topper 40 to secure the topper 40 to the base 30. Still, when the topper 40 is coupled to the base 30, the projections 188, 192 are configured to be seated against (e.g., contact) the lip 112 and the first surface 184 of the topper 40 contacts the second surface 100 of the base 30.

[0030]In the illustrated embodiment, the body 160 of the topper 40 is configured to be matingly coupled to the body 50 of the base 30. Accordingly, the body 160 of the topper 40 is generally curved, such that the first surface 184 is a generally arcuate surface. That is, the body 160 has a radial concavity having a radius R2 (FIG. 3) measured from a point on an axis 180 that extends through the body 160 from the first side 164 to the second side 168. In the illustrated embodiment, the radial concavity of the topper 40 is the same as the radial concavity of the base 30, such that radius R2 is equal to R1. In other embodiments, like the body 50 of the base 30, the body 160 of the topper 40 may have a radial concavity having a different radius R2. Alternatively, as noted above, in other embodiments, the body 160 may not be curved, such that the first side 184 has a generally planar surface.

[0031]In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second projections 188, 192 of the topper 40, collectively, may be considered an alignment feature of the topper 40, while the lip 112 of the base 30 may be considered to be an alignment feature of the base 30. That is, the first and second projections 188, 192 are configured to be matingly seated against the lip 112 to align, and therefore properly position, the topper 40 relative to the base 30.

[0032]Also, with respect to FIGS. 4 and 5, in the illustrated embodiment, the topper 40 includes a plurality of peripheral projections 220 extending from the first surface 184 of the topper 40. Each of the peripheral projections 220 are configured to be received in one of the apertures 40 (or bores) of the base 30. The number of peripheral projections 220 of the topper 40 therefore corresponds to the number of apertures 140 in the base 30. In other embodiments, there may be more apertures 40 than peripheral projections 220, such that the peripheral projections 220 may be received in some of the apertures 40, while others of the apertures 40 may not receive anything. That is, any number of the apertures 40 may be used to receive a peripheral projection 220 depending on the weight of the aesthetic member 14, 14′, 14″. In other words, a heavier aesthetic member may require more peripheral projections 220 to be received in more apertures 40, whereas a lighter aesthetic member may require less peripheral projections 220 to be received in less apertures 40. Also, these peripheral projections 220 may be omitted in some embodiments. Collectively, the peripheral projections 220 may be considered another alignment feature of the topper 40, while, collectively, the apertures 140 of the base 30 may be considered another alignment feature of the base 30. In the illustrated embodiment, there are four peripheral projections 220 and four apertures 140. In other or additional embodiments, there may be more (e.g., more than four) or fewer (e.g., less than four) peripheral projections 220 and apertures 140. Additionally, as shown herein, the base 30 and the topper 40 are symmetrical. Therefore, the topper 40 may be coupled to base 30 in a first orientation or a second orientation which is rotated 180 degrees relative to the first orientation.

[0033]In the illustrated embodiment, the user may be alerted to the proper engagement between the topper 40 and the base 30 by an audible sound. That is, coupling the topper 40 to the base 30 causes the audible sound. Similarly, there is an audible sound when the topper 40 is removed from the base 30.

[0034]As shown in FIG. 1, the second surface 208 of the topper 40 includes the aesthetic member 14. Accordingly, when the topper 40 is coupled to the base 30, and therefore the accessory 20, the aesthetic member 14 of the topper 40 is part of the design of the accessory 20. Additionally, because the base 30 and the topper 40 are symmetrical, the topper 40 may be coupled to base 30 such that the aesthetic member 14 can be in the first orientation or the second orientation. The user can remove the topper 40 to remove the aesthetic member 14 from the accessory 20. Also, as shown in FIG. 8, the topper 40′ is interchangeable with the other toppers 40′, 40″ to change the aesthetic member 14 and therefore the design of the accessory 20. Although only the specific details of the base 30 and the topper 40, it should be understood that, except as otherwise noted, the base 30′ has the same features as the base 30 and the toppers 40′, 40″ have the same features as the topper 40. One or both of the bases 30, 30′ and one or more of the toppers 40, 40′, 40″ may therefore form a kit.

[0035]In the examples shown herein, the topper 40 of FIGS. 1-5 and 7-8 is a first topper 40. The second surface 208 of the first topper 40 includes the first aesthetic member 14. In this case the first aesthetic member 40 is indicia 230 (e.g., logos, letters, numbers, symbols, etc.) that is formed on the second surface 208 of the first topper 40. The indicia 230 may be integrally formed with or otherwise coupled to (e.g., by adhesive, welding, fastening, etc.) the first topper 40. In the first orientation, the indicia 230 may be considered upside down from the perspective of the user, while in the second orientation, the indicia 230 may be considered right side up from the perspective of the user.

[0036]Further with respect to FIG. 8, the first topper 40 is configured to be removed and replaced with a second topper 40′. The second topper 40′ may include a first coupling configuration that is configured to secure a second aesthetic member (e.g., a bow, flower, rhinestone, buckle, feather, etc., not shown). The first coupling configuration may include a plurality of apertures 240 extending through the body 160 from the first side 164 to the second side 168. In the illustrated embodiment, there are three apertures 240 arranged at a midpoint between the third side 172 and the fourth side 176. The center aperture 240 has a greater diameter than the apertures 240 on either side thereof. The apertures 240 may have other configurations, orientations, and sizes. For example, the apertures 240 may be positioned in other locations relative the body 160 and/or there may be more or fewer apertures 140 having various sizes. Additionally, the first coupling configuration may include a first loop 244 coupled to and extending from the third side 172 and a second loop 248 coupled to and extending from the fourth side 176. The apertures 240 and/or the loops 244, 248 may be used to together or separately to couple the second aesthetic member to the second topper 40′. The second aesthetic member may be coupled to the topper 40 (and in particular to one or more of the apertures 240 and/or loops 244, 248) in any suitable way (e.g., sewn, riveted, welded, straps threaded therethrough, adhesively, etc.).

[0037]Further with respect to FIG. 8, the first topper 40 or the second topper 40′ are each configured to be removed and replaced with a third topper 40″. The third topper 40″ may include a second coupling configuration that is configured to secure a third aesthetic member (e.g., a bow, flower, rhinestone, buckle, feather, etc., not shown). The second coupling configuration may include a projection 260 extending from the second surface 208. In the illustrated embodiment, the projection 260 is arranged at a midpoint between the third side 172 and the fourth side 176. The projection 260 may positioned in other locations relative the body 160, the projection 260 may have other suitable sizes and shapes (e.g., rectangle, oval, triangle, trapezoidal, etc.), and/or there may be additional projections 260 having various shapes and sizes. The projection 260 may be used to couple the third aesthetic member to the third topper 40″. Although not shown, the third topper 40″, like the second topper 40′, may also include loops 244, 248. The third aesthetic member may be coupled to the topper 40 (and in particular to the projection 260 and/or loops 244, 248 thereof) in any suitable way (e.g., sewn, riveted, welded, straps threaded therethrough, etc.). In still some embodiments, the projection 260 may be omitted entirely and/or include loops 244, 248. In such case, the third aesthetic member may be coupled to the topper 40 (and in particular to the top surface and/or loops 244, 248 thereof) in any suitable way (e.g., sewn, riveted, welded, straps threaded therethrough, etc.).

[0038]One exemplary method for altering a design of an accessory 20 (e.g., a shoe) is shown in FIG. 9. The method is discussed in the context of the altering the design of the accessory 20, which in this example is a shoe. In other embodiments, this method may be used for altering the design of another accessory (e.g., a handbag or a hat, etc.) or an item of clothing (e.g., a dress or suit jacket, etc.). At step 300, the method includes providing one of the bases 30, 30′ of FIG. 8 to the accessory 20. At step 304, the method further includes coupling the first topper 40 to the base 30, 30′. The first topper 40 has the first aesthetic member 14. At step 308, the method includes removing the first topper 40 from the base 30, 30′. At step 312, the method includes coupling the second topper 40′ to the base 30, 30′. The second topper 40′ has the second aesthetic member 14′. As noted above, coupling the first topper 40 to the base 30, 30′ and coupling the second topper 14′ to the base includes magnetically coupling the first topper 40 to the base 30 and magnetically coupling the second topper 40′ to the base 30, 30′. Additionally, in the embodiments herein, the method also includes aligning the first alignment feature of the first topper 40 with the second alignment feature of the base 30, 30′ to couple to the first topper 40 to the base 30, 30′, and aligning the first alignment feature of the second topper 40′ with the second alignment feature of the base 30, 30′ to couple to the second topper 40′ to the base 30, 30′. Finally, the method also includes creating an audible sound when the first topper 40 is coupled to the base 30, 30′ and creating the audible sound when the second topper 40′ is coupled to the base 30, 30′. This same method may be repeated for removing the second topper 40′ and replacing the second topper 40′ with the third topper 40″.

[0039]The assembly and system of this disclosure are designed to be inherently and intentionally eco-friendly and sustainable. That is, the assembly and system of this disclosure provide the utility and global potential for formerly single-use accessories to become multiuse and help reduce overconsumption, especially on the larger accessories, by just interchanging the toppers to change the aesthetic members attached to the accessories. Furthermore, in some cases, the waste from manufacturing the accessory (e.g., the shoe) may be used to create the aesthetic member of the topper 40, 40′, 40″ to further promote sustainability. The system created here for standardizing an assembly for coupling aesthetic members to accessories, therefore, has a potentially positive global impact to reduce waste and help slow climate change. A system such as this is much needed in the fashion industry.

[0040]Various features and advantages of the present disclosure are set forth in the following claims.