SYSTEM FOR ATTACHING ITEMS TO FOOTWEAR

• US 20120192461A1
• Filed: 02/01/2011
• Published: 08/02/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Chinook Asia LLC
• Original Assignee: Chinook Trading Company
• Inventors: Backus, Peter P.
• Application Number:
  US13/019,178
• Publication Number:
  US 20120192461A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 36/136
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 23/24 Ornamental buckles; Other ornaments for shoes without fastening function
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/35 with electric heating arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/38 with power sources
• CPC Class Codes: A43C 11/24 Ornamental buckles or other ornaments for shoes, with fastening function buckles in general A44B11/00
• CPC Class Codes: A43C 19/00 Attachments for footwear, not provided for in other groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 5/0657 at least one of the plates providing a raised structure, e.g. of the doghouse type, for connection with the clamps or clips of the other plate
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 5/0664 at least one of the sheets or plates having integrally formed or integrally connected snap-in-features
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/13 Article holder attachable to apparel or body
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/1394 Article held by clip

Abstract

A system for attaching a tool to a boot or other footwear includes a first coupling element which is attached to the outside of the boot, and a second coupling element which is attached to an implement and is releasably attachable to the first coupling element. The coupling elements may include a securing element which holds the second coupling element on the first coupling element.

Claims

1. A system for releasably attaching an implement to footwear comprising:

(a) a first coupling element which is attached to an outside face of said footwear;

(b) a second coupling element which is attached to an implement;

(c) said first coupling element being releasably attachable to said second coupling element.

2. The system of claim 1 including a securing element which holds said second coupling element on said first coupling element.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said first coupling element is a bracket having opposed inwardly facing rails defining a slot having a first width.

4. The system of claim 3 including a securing element which holds said second coupling element on said first coupling element, wherein said rails have opposed recesses which open into said slot.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein said first coupling element comprises a slider which slidably fits in said slot, wherein said slider has a width which is greater than said first width.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein said rails have a thickness and said slider has opposed ends and a length which is slightly larger than said thickness, and said second coupling element comprises flanges, one of said flanges being located on each end of said slider.

7. The system of claim 4 wherein said second coupling element comprises a slider which slidably fits in said slot and a spherical protrusion which fits in said slot, said protrusion has a width which is greater than said first width.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein said rails have a thickness and said slider has opposed ends and a length which is slightly larger than said thickness and said second coupling element comprises flanges, one of said flanges being located on each end of said slider.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein said implement is a tool.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein said footwear has an electrically powered device located therein, said system further comprising:

(a) a first electrical contact located on said first coupling element;

(b) a second electrical contact located on said second coupling element;

(c) said first electrical contact being connected to said electrically powered device;

(d) said first and second electrical contacts being interconnected when said second coupling element is attached on said first coupling element; and

(e) a battery pack attached to said second coupling element, said battery pack configured to connect batteries located therein within with said second electrical connector.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein:

(a) said second coupling element is a U shaped clip having opposed inwardly facing rails on an inner side thereof, said rails defining a slot having a first width;

(b) said clip having a wall on an outer side thereof;

wherein

(c) said rails are separate from said wall to form a pocket therebetween.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein said first coupling element comprises:

(a) a slider which slidably fits in said slot and has a second width which is greater than said first width; and

(b) a flange which is attached to said slider and fits into said pocket

14. The system of claim 13 wherein said rails have a thickness and said slider has a length which is slightly larger than said thickness, and said first coupling element includes a flange, which is attached to said slider and fits in said pocket.

15. The system of claim 12 wherein said footwear has an electrically powered device therein, said system further comprising:

(a) a first electrical contact located on said first coupling element;

(b) a second electrical contact located on said second coupling element;

(c) said first electrical contact being connected to said electrical power device;

(d) said first and second electrical contact being inter connected when said second coupling element is attached to said first coupling element; and

(e) a battery pack attached to said second coupling element, said battery pack configured to connect batteries located therein with said second electrical connector.

11. A system for releasably attaching an implement to footwear, comprising:

(a) a boot having an outer surface;

(b) a first coupling element attached to said outer surface;

(c) an implement;

(d) a second coupling element attached to said implement; and

(e) said first coupling element being releasably attachable to said second coupling element.