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Ornamental apparatus with securing means for attachment to the tip of shoelaces

Ornamental apparatus with securing means for attachment to the tip of shoelaces description/claims

The present invention is directed to an ornamental apparatus for removable attachment to the tip of shoelaces. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a series of ornamental apparatus that can be removably attached to the tip either one or the pair of shoelaces.

A number of devices have been developed which create decorative and/or functional aspects to shoelaces. Over the ages, it has been common to decorate shoes with various devices, in particular, attached to the central region of a shoe and retained by the shoelace. These devices typically take the form of famous cartoon characters or comic book characters or children's heroes and are predominately ornamental, although functional aspects are included. Such devices are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 1,446,663 (C. J. Sandberg), U.S. Pat. No. 2,035,174 (W. H. McIlhenny), U.S. Pat. No. 3,066,370, (Epstein) U.S. Pat. No. 3,132,394 (D. P. Russell), U.S. Pat. No. 3,473,198 (Meier), U.S. Pat. No. 4,805,270 (Kimbrough), U.S. Pat. No. 4,485,529 (Blum), U.S. Pat. No. 5,022,127 (J. Ang), U.S. Pat. No. 5,029,371 (K. Rosenblood), and. Each of these devices either or both provides a decorative function and a shoelace retaining function.

In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 2,612,135 (Iny) teaches an arrangement for attaching a bell to the end of a shoelace as a decorative device. The bell is retained on the end of the shoelace by a ball-like member formed of a thermoplastic material. The member is applied by heating to soften the ball-like member and is then affixed to the end of the shoelace. This arrangement is cumbersome and difficult for young child to execute. In addition, design U.S. Pat. No. 292,442 (Wadsworth) discloses a shoe decoration in the shape of the face of a character and formed with a bore there through. The precise method of using or affixing this structure is not clear. Lastly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,099,552 (Kimbrough) describes a device for decorating laces formed from a body which has a first bore extending from a first end of the body to a second end of the body and a second bore extending from the second end of the body. The tip of a lace passes through the first bore from the first end to the second end and is then received in the second bore and retained therein when the end of the lace extending past the first end is pulled. A full or partial wall is defined between the bores in the vicinity of the first end for retaining a loop of the lace.

None of the prior art arrangements satisfy the need for a shoelace decorating or ornamental device suitable for attaching only the tips of the laces and which are readily applied and removed by a screw, magnetic or press fit means. By providing such an arrangement, the utility and play value of the shoelace decorating device is enhanced, since the user can have a plurality of sets of such devices and alter them as the user pleases.

Notwithstanding the above-cited prior art, the present invention is neither taught nor rendered obvious thereby.

In accordance with the present invention, an improved shoelace ornamental apparatus is provided having a first substantially permanent apparatus attached to the tip of the shoelace and the ornamental device with an attachment means designed to engage the first permanent apparatus. The attachment means preferable consists of a screw means, but alternately can consist of a magnetic or press-fit means, snap clip or other retaining means. The body of the shoelace ornamental apparatus can be shaped as desired, such as the shape of an object or the face of a cartoon character.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a lace decorating device which can be readily applied to and removed from the ends of a tipped lace.

Another object of the invention is to provide a lace decorating device that permits the manufacture a variety of shapes and configurations and readily interchangeably mounted on the tip of the shoelaces.

A further object of the invention is to provide a shoelace ornamental apparatus which is securely retained on a tipped lace yet is readily removed there from when desired.

Still other objects and advantages of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part be apparent from the specification.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combinations of elements and arrangements of parts which will be exemplified in the constructions hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a shoe having one embodiment of the shoelace ornamental apparatus in accordance with the invention mounted thereon.

FIG. 2 is a section view of one embodiment shoelace device with the male screw threads attached to the end of the tipped shoelace and the female screw threads within the ornamental apparatus whereas the ornamental apparatus in juxtaposition with but not secured to the end of a tipped lace.

FIG. 3 is a section view of one embodiment shoelace device with the female screw threads attached to the end of the tipped shoelace and the male screw threads ornamental apparatus whereas the ornamental apparatus in juxtaposition with but not secured to the end of a tipped lace.

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• Utility Patent

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