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United States Patent Application	20060101673
Kind Code	A1
Robinson; Shumodda T. ;   et al.	May 18, 2006

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Claims

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1. A decorative panel for application to wearing apparel having at least one defined application area of selected shape, said decorative panel configured substantially to the defined application area of selected shape and secured to the wearing apparel at the defined application area of selected shape.

2. The decorative panel of claim 1 wherein the wearing apparel is a pair of footwear and said decorative panel is characterized by a flexible fabric panel having at least one selected color and a selected design for gluing on the defined application area of selected shape on the footwear.

3. The decorative panel of claim 1 wherein said at least one defined application area of selected shape includes multiple defined application areas of selected shape on the wearing apparel and said at least one decorative panel comprises a plurality of decorative fabric panels having at least one selected color and a selected design applied to the defined application areas of selected shape, respectively.

4. The decorative panel of claim 3 wherein the wearing apparel is a pair of footwear and said decorative fabric panels are bandana fabric panels glued to the defined application areas of selected shape on the footwear, respectively.

5. The decorative panel of claim 4 wherein said footwear is a pair of shoes.

6. The decorative panel of claim 4 wherein said footwear is a pair of boots.

7. The decorative panel of claim 1 wherein the wearing apparel is a belt and said decorative panel is characterized by at least one flexible belt panel of selected color and design for application to the defined application area of selected shape on the belt.

8. The decorative panel of claim 3 wherein the wearing apparel is a belt and said decorative fabric panels are bandana fabric panels glued to the defined application areas of selected shape on the belt.

9. A decorative panel for application to footwear having at least one defined open surface area of selected shape, respectively, said decorative panel substantially configured to the defined open surface area of selected shape on the footwear and fastened to the footwear beneath the defined open surface area of selected shape on the footwear, respectively.

10. The decorative panel of claim 9 wherein said at least one defined open surface area of selected shape includes multiple defined open surface areas of selected shape on the footwear and said at least one decorative panel comprises a plurality of decorative panels having at least one selected color and a selected bandana design applied to the footwear beneath the defined open surface areas of selected shape, respectively.

11. The decorative panel of claim 10 wherein said decorative panels are characterized by decorative bandana fabric panels and said footwear is a pair of shoes.

12. The decorative panel of claim 10 wherein said decorative panels are characterized by decorative bandana fabric panels and said footwear is a pair of boots.

13. A decorative bandana panel for application to a belt and to footwear having at least one defined surface area of selected shape, respectively, said decorative bandana panel configured to the defined surface area of selected shape on the belt and the footwear and secured to the defined surface area of selected shape on the belt and the footwear, respectively.

14. The decorative bandana panel of claim 13 wherein said at least one defined area of selected shape is characterized by at least one defined open surface area of selected shape on the belt and the footwear, respectively, and said decorative bandana panel is extended beneath said defined open surface area of selected shape for displaying said decorative bandana panel in said defined open surface area of selected shape.

15. The decorative panel of claim 13 wherein said footwear is a pair of shoes.

16. The decorative panel of claim 13 wherein said footwear is a pair of boots.

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Description

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CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of and incorporates by reference prior filed copending U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/628,889, Filed Nov. 18, 2004.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Articles of clothing such as footwear having customized displays such as logos, emblems and the like, particularly in the sporting field, are well known in the art. These displays are typically printed on the article or they may be stitched on the wearing apparel according to production techniques which are known to those skilled in the art.

[0003] The present invention relates to fabric and alternative material design panels for adhesive application to articles of clothing and wearing apparel and in particular, to shaped printed bandana design panels for adhesive application to various surface panel segments, design surfaces or areas on shoes, boots, belts and the like. The design panels are configured to conform to the existing panel or surface areas on the wearing apparel or to the bottom perimeters of open panel or surface areas and are typically glued or stitched in place.

[0004] The printed bandana design panels of this invention are provided in selected panel shapes which are applied to correspondingly-shaped surface areas of wearing apparel such as footwear and belts, in desired locations and in specific color and design configurations, to present wearing apparel having a pleasing appearance to the eye. In a preferred embodiment of the invention various shaped fabric or alternative material toe panels, side panels, inside and outside heel panels, sole panels and instep panels of selected material, character, color and design are adhesively applied to or stitched on footwear, and belt panels are glued or stitched on belts, in non-exclusive particular, at designated closed or open surface locations to enhance the appearance of the footwear and belt products.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] The invention will be better understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein a first set of fabric or alternative material footwear design panels is stitched or adhesively applied in the form of shaped bandana designs having a specified color or colors, to various correspondingly-shaped surface locations on a typical walking or running shoe;

[0007] FIG. 2 is a perspective, partially exploded view of the shoe and toe panel illustrated in FIG. 1, more particularly illustrating application of the toe panel having a desired shape, character, design and color to the correspondingly-shaped toe surface area of the shoe;

[0008] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an alternative shoe design, more particularly illustrating application of a fabric or alternative inside and outside heel/instep panel design to correspondingly-shaped surfaces of the shoe;

[0009] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a belt having a belt panel characterized by a specific bandana color and design, typically adhesively applied or stitched to the outside surface of the belt.

[0010] FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the sole margin and bottom elements of a shoe, more particularly illustrating bandana designs on a selected material applied thereto;

[0011] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the invention, which includes a shoe having selected open design areas or surfaces superimposed on a backing panel having a selected design;

[0012] FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a typical open area or surface and a backing panel glued or stitched to the bottom perimeter thereof, taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 6.

[0013] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a walking shoe having selected open areas or surfaces with bandana design backing panels underneath the open areas or surfaces;

[0014] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a woman's boot having selected design panels of this invention applied thereto; and

[0015] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a typical cowboy boot having selected design panels applied thereto according to this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Referring initially to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, in a first preferred embodiment of the invention a typically fabric toe panel 1 is shaped to fit on the corresponding toe 32 and instep 37 (FIG. 2) of a conventional running, gym or walking shoe 29, having a sole 31, a tongue 34 and laces 35. The toe panel 1 is characterized by a toe panel design 2 of selected material, character and color or colors, typically including a bandana print, design or indicia such as the bandana designs known as the "European" and "Spain" designs, in non-exclusive particular. It will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art that the toe panel design 2 and other design features of the toe panel 1 and other fabric panel designs of this invention may be selected as desired by the designer, manufacturer and wearer of the shoe 29.

[0017] As further illustrated in FIG. 2 of the drawings, the typically fabric toe panel 1 is cut, stamped or otherwise shaped to conform to the shape of the toe portion 32 and the instep 37, located rearwardly of the toe margin 33 of the shoe 29 and may be secured in place by means of fabric cement or other glue or adhesive, according to the knowledge of those skilled in the art. Alternatively, the toe panel 1 can be secured in place by stitching 6. Accordingly, the toe panel 1 is configured to define an instep curve 3 which follows the curve of the top portion of the instep 37, as well as an opposite toe curve 4 that tracks the instep margin 38 of the instep 37 and toe portion 32. Panel flaps 5 are also typically shaped in the upper portions of the toe panel 1 and extend downwardly toward the sole 31 of the shoe 29, to further follow the contour of the instep margin 38 of the shoe 29 illustrated in FIG. 2.

[0018] In another aspect of the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, a pair of typically fabric side panels 7 are applied, either adhesively or by the stitching 6, to correspondingly-shaped surface areas on both sides of the shoe 29, respectively, including the illustrated arch side 39 and the opposite side (not illustrated) of the shoe 29 from the arch side 39. The side panels 7 each include a selected fabric side panel print or design 8 having a desired color or colors. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the side panel design 8 and the color or colors of the side panels 7 may conform to that of the toe panel design 2 on the toe panel 1, or the design and color or colors may be different, according to the desires of designers and users who are skilled in the art. Furthermore, the side panels 7 each typically extend from a side panel base 9 above the sole 31 to a side panel tip 10, as further illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. It will be appreciated and understood that the shape and extent of the side panels 7 will be determined by, and matches, the underlying shape of the particular shoe surface panel areas provided on both sides of the shoe 29.

[0019] As further illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, a typically fabric heel panel 12 may also be included in the design format for the shoe 29, with or without the toe panel 1 and the side panels 7. Furthermore, the heel panel 12 is characterized by a heel panel print or design 13 that may typically correspond in color and design or indicia configuration to both the toe panel design 2 and the side panel design 8, or either of them, but may be different in one or both aspects, according to the desires of the designer. Accordingly, both the color or colors and the design indicia or print constituency of the heel panel design 13 may be the same as or different from the print layout and color of the toe panel design 2 and that of the side panel design 8, as further dictated by the designer. The heel panel 12 is typically characterized by a heel panel base 14 that begins near the top of the shoe 9 at the ankle margin 36 and extends downwardly and forwardly on the shoe heel 30, to a heel panel tip 15 on each side of the shoe 29. As in the case of the toe panel 1 and the side panels 7, the heel panel 12 typically conforms to an underlying, correspondingly-shaped application surface area of specified shape in the heel area of the shoe 29 and is typically characterized by a shaped bandana fabric portion that is applied to the heel area of the shoe 29 by means of a suitable adhesive. Alternatively, stitching 6 may be used to secure the heel panel 12 to the underlying heel surface area. The heel panel 12 is typically applied to the upper area of the shoe heel 30 below the ankle margin 36, as further illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings.

[0020] Referring now to FIG. 3 of the drawings, in another preferred embodiment of the invention a walking, running or gym-type shoe 29 having a different surface area construction or configuration from that of the shoe illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, is illustrated. A typically fabric heel/instep panel 17 is characterized by a heel/instep panel print or design 18 of selected character indicia and color or colors and is applied by a suitable fabric glue or adhesive or the stitching 6 to the shoe 29. The heel/instep panel 17 extends from the shoe heel 30 at a heel/instep base 19, forwardly and upwardly to a heel instep panel midsection 20. From the heel/instep panel midsection 20, the heel/instep panel 17 projects forwardly and downwardly on both sides of the shoe 29, along the laces 35 and terminates at the toe portion 32 of the shoe 29, in a heel/instep tip 21. A heel/instep panel top margin 22 typically parallels the side portions of the ankle margins 36 of the shoe 29 from the heel/instep panel base 19, forwardly to the heel/instep midsection 20, as further illustrated in FIG. 3. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the heel/instep indicia or design 18 is preferably a bandana print or design and may be selected by the designer typically from the bandana designs known as the "European" and "Spain" designs, or other selected designs and prints having a desired character, design indicia and color or colors, according to the knowledge of those skilled in the art.

[0021] Referring to FIG. 4 of the drawings, a belt 26 is illustrated and includes a buckle 27. A typically fabric belt panel 24 is typically glued or stitched on the belt 26 using a suitable adhesive or cement and typically extends from the buckle 27 to the terminal end of the belt 26, as illustrated. As in the case of the toe panel design 2, side panel design 8, heel panel design 13 and the heel/instep panel design 18 for shoes illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 of the drawings, the belt panel print or design 25 is typically characterized by a typically fabric bandana design such as the "European" and "Spain" designs, but may be characterized by other selected designs having selected design character, indicia and color, as desired. Further as in the case of the various panel prints or designs illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 applied to the shoes 29, the belt panel 24 is typically applied to the belt 26 by means of a suitable cement or fabric glue or adhesive or by stitching (not illustrated) selected by those skilled in the art.

[0022] Referring now to FIG. 5 of the drawings in another preferred embodiment of the invention, a sole margin design 41 is provided on the sole margin 31a of the sole 31 of a shoe 29. Furthermore, a sole bottom design 42 may also be imprinted or otherwise provided on the sole bottom 31b of the sole 31 of the shoe 29 as further illustrated in FIG. 5. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the sole margin design 41 and/or the sole bottom design 42 may be imprinted on a suitable material and applied by a suitable adhesive in the manner detailed above with respect to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4 of the drawings or by stitching (not illustrated), according to the knowledge of those skilled in the art.

[0023] As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 of the drawings, a shoe 29 may be fitted with open areas 47 which conform to a specific design configuration and may be typically secured in place by the stitching 6. Furthermore, various underlying correspondingly shaped design backing panels 49 may be provided underneath the corresponding open areas 47 to define an open area margin 48, as further illustrated in FIG. 7 of the drawings. Accordingly, the bottom or backing panels 49 may be each either glued to the corresponding underlying area of the shoe 29 or may be stitched in place beneath the corresponding open areas 47 using the stitching 6, as desired. Furthermore, each of the open areas 47 and corresponding backing panels 49 may be applied to the variously shaped design areas, including but not limited to the toe panel 1, side panel 7 and the heel panel 12. Furthermore, the thickness of the respective open area margins 48 will depend upon the material chosen for the shoe 29. Moreover, the corresponding toe panel design 2, side panel design 8 and heel panel design 13 provided in the toe panel 1, side panel 7 and the heel panel 12, in non-exclusive particular, may be chosen from a particular bandana design chosen by the manufacturer or, the wearer in the case of custom design shoes.

[0024] Referring again to FIG. 8 of the drawings a hiking boot 44 is illustrated, having lace eyes 43 fitted with laces 35 and provided with side panels 7 having an open areas 47 superimposed on a backing panel 49 having a selected side panel design 8. Each side panel design 8 is typically chosen from a fabric or alternative material bandana design and may be either glued to a designated underlying area in the hiking boot 44 or stitched therein by the stitching 6. Accordingly, the side panel design 8 is presented within the confines of each corresponding open area 47 and an open area margin 48 is created to present "depth" to the underlying backing panels 49.

[0025] In still another preferred embodiment of the invention a woman's boot 50 is illustrated in FIG. 9 and has an elevated woman's boot heel 51 and toe portion 32, as well as a sole 31 and a sole margin 31a. A boot band 52 is typically provided around the upper portion or ankle margin 36 of the woman's boot 50 and typically includes two or more band loops 53 for securing the boot band 52 in place. A band design 54 may be provided on the boot band 52 and is typically selected from one of several bandana designs. In a preferred embodiment the band loop 53 is sewn or otherwise attached to the ankle margin 36 and is constructed of fabric or an alternative material and the band design 54 may be printed thereon or otherwise applied, according to the knowledge of those skilled in the art. Furthermore, a heel panel design 13 may be provided on the heel panel 12 of the woman's boot 50 and a toe panel design 2 applied to the toe panel 1 at the toe portion 32 of the woman's boot 50, as further illustrated in FIG. 9. As in the case of the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1-8 of the drawings and described above, the heel panel design 13 and the toe panel design 2 may be secured in position in the respective locations on the woman's boot 50 by means of a suitable adhesive or by stitching 6.

[0026] Referring now to FIG. 10 of the drawings, in another preferred embodiment of the invention a cowboy boot 55 is illustrated, having an upper boot portion 56 fitted with grips 57 and a typically bandana fabric upper boot portion design 58 which may be adhesively applied to the upper boot portion 56 or attached thereto by means of stitching 6, as desired. Furthermore, a typically bandana fabric heel panel design 13 is adhesively applied or stitched to the heel panel 12 at the cowboy boot heel 62 and above the cowboy boot sole 59, while a companion toe panel design 2 is similarly applied to the toe panel 1 of the toe portion 32 of the cowboy boot 55. A typically bandana design fabric lower side panel design 61 may be similarly applied to the cowboy boot lower side panel 60 above the cowboy boot sole 63.

[0027] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the various typically fabric panel designs, prints and indicia illustrated in FIGS. 1-10 of the drawings are preferably shaped from bandana designs of selected shape, color or colors and may be applied to various types of shoes and articles other than the running, walking or gym shoe, ladies boot, cowboy boot and the belt wearing apparel illustrated in the drawings. For example, the various fabric design panels can be applied in various shapes, thicknesses, colors and design features and prints to corresponding areas of other apparel such as purses and the like, according to the knowledge of those skilled in the art.

[0028] The various fabric design panels of this invention are typically cut from fabric or other material of selected character, thickness, color and design indicia or print, to shape for alignment with specific surface areas of the various wearing apparel as described above and are then typically glued in place using a suitable fabric cement or adhesive of selected character, or attached by the stitching 6, depending upon the underlying material to which the panels are to be attached. For example, under circumstances where the panels are to be applied to a leather surface, the fabric cement or adhesive is selected for compatibility both with the leather and the material of the panels being applied.

[0029] While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been described above, it will be recognized and understood that various modifications may be made in the invention and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications which may fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.

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