System and method for securing accessories to wearable items

• US 8,122,519 B2
• Filed: 04/19/2007
• Issued: 02/28/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/07/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jibbitz LLC (Crocs Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Jibbitz LLC (Crocs Incorporated)
• Inventors: Schmelzer, Richard, Schmelzer, Sheri
• Primary Examiner(s): Moran, Katherine
• Assistant Examiner(s): QUINN, RICHALE LEE
• Application Number:
  US11/737,649
• Publication Number:
  US 20080060110A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,776 Days
• Field of Search: 2/1, 291/7, 226/5, 217/0, 224/5, 224/4, 216/0, 216/2, 216/8, 233/8, 231/1, 232/1, 232/2, 233/9, 63/3, 63/51, 63/23
• US Class Current: 2/170
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 1/24 with means for attaching articles thereto, e.g. memorandum tablets or mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 23/24 Ornamental buckles; Other ornaments for shoes without fastening function
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/0078 provided with logos, letters, signatures or the like decoration A43B23/24 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A44B 1/32 Shank inserted into counterpiece and locked by sliding or rotating
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/45272 Projection passes through cavity then moves toward noninserted portion of its member to complete interlock [e.g., snap hook]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/45288 Hook type projection member

Abstract

A system and method for securing accessories to shoes and other wearable items is described. One illustrative embodiment is a system for attaching a decorative accessory to a wearable item, the system comprising a shaft having first and second ends; a first shoulder secured to the first end of the shaft, the first shoulder being configured for insertion through an expandable hole in the wearable item and configured to engage an inner surface of the wearable item; a second shoulder secured to the second end of the shaft, the second shoulder being configured to engage the wearable item; and a third shoulder adjacent to the second shoulder, the third shoulder comprising the decorative accessory.

Claims

1. A system for attaching a decorative accessory to a wearable item, the system comprising:

a wearable item, wherein the wearable item comprises a molded portion formed of a moldable foam material and an expandable hole formed in the molded portion;

a shaft having first and second ends;

a first shoulder secured to the first end of the shaft, the first shoulder being configured for insertion through the expandable hole in the wearable item and configured to engage an inner surface of the wearable item;

a second shoulder secured to the second end of the shaft, the second shoulder being configured to engage the wearable item; and

a third shoulder adjacent to the second shoulder, the third shoulder comprising the decorative accessory.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first shoulder comprises a low-profile shoulder.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the second shoulder is configured to engage an outer surface of the wearable item.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the third shoulder is configured to engage an outer surface of the wearable item and the second shoulder is configured to fit within the expandable hole in its unexpanded state, the second shoulder providing lateral stability.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the decorative accessory is configured to engage an outer surface of the wearable item.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the third shoulder is flush mounted to the second shoulder.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the third shoulder is molded around a fourth shoulder that extends from a top surface of the second shoulder.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the third shoulder is molded around a head portion of a pin, the head portion of the pin extending from a top surface of the second shoulder, the second shoulder being molded around a needle portion of the pin.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the shaft and at least one of the first, second, and third shoulders are integrally formed as a single piece.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the shaft and the first, second, and third shoulders are integrally formed as a single piece.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the first shoulder is removably secured to the shaft.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the first shoulder comprises a snap receiver.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the shaft includes a nipple for engaging the snap receiver.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the first shoulder comprises a first portion of a barrel nut.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the shaft comprises a second portion of a barrel nut configured to engage the first portion of the barrel nut, the first and second portions of the barrel nut being opposite in gender.

16. The system of claim 11, wherein the first shoulder comprises a bayonet-fastener receiver.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the shaft includes a bayonet-fastener for engaging the bayonet-fastener receiver.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein the wearable item is a wristband.

19. A system for securing a decorative accessory to a wearable item, the system comprising:

a wearable item having an inner surface, an outer surface, and at least one stretchable hole molded with a moldable foam material;

a shaft having first and second ends;

a first shoulder secured to the first end of the shaft, the first shoulder being configured for insertion into the at least one stretchable hole in the wearable item and to engage the inner surface of the wearable item;

a second shoulder secured to the second end of the shaft, the second shoulder being configured to engage the wearable item; and

a third shoulder adjacent to the second shoulder, the third shoulder comprising the decorative accessory.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the second shoulder is configured to engage the outer surface of the wearable item.

21. The system of claim 19, wherein the third shoulder is configured to engage the outer surface of the wearable item and the second shoulder is configured to fit within the at least one stretchable hole in its relaxed state, the second shoulder providing lateral stability.

22. The system of claim 19, wherein the decorative accessory is configured to engage the outer surface of the wearable item.

23. The system of claim 19, wherein the shaft and at least one of the first, second, and third shoulders are integrally formed as a single piece.

24. The system of claim 19, wherein the shaft and the first, second, and third shoulders are integrally formed as a single piece.

25. The system of claim 19, wherein the first shoulder is removably secured to the shaft.

26. The system of claim 19, wherein the wearable item is a molded wearable item made from a stretchable material.

27. A system for securing a decorative accessory, the system comprising:

a wearable item having at least one expandable hole, the at least one expandable hole formed of a moldable foam material in a molded portion of the wearable item;

a shaft having first and second ends;

a first shoulder secured to the first end of the shaft, the first shoulder being configured for insertion through one of the at least one expandable hole and configured to engage an inner surface of the wearable item, the first shoulder being larger in diameter than the expandable hole through which it is inserted when the expandable hole is in its unexpanded state; and

a second shoulder secured to the second end of the shaft, the second shoulder being configured to engage an outer surface of the wearable item, the second shoulder comprising the decorative accessory.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein at least the first shoulder and the shaft are integrally formed as a single piece of flexible material.

29. The system of claim 27, wherein the second shoulder is the decorative accessory.