REMOVABLE COLLAR FOR FOOTWEAR

The present disclosure relates, in general, to a footwear and, more specifically relates, to a collar for the footwear.

Decorative designs are often desired in clothing and accessories, including footwear. Typically, such desires are often manifested in form of constantly changing styles. Particularly, decorative designs for footwears are well known and exist in various forms. For example, footwear decorations provided in form of permanent ornamentation, such as sequins and stones, or designs stamped or carved into the leather or other material, are attached to desired portions of the footwear. However, such conventional decorative designs do not allow a consumer to make any modifications. Other forms of decorative designs or aesthetic accessories are known to have removable configuration for footwear, such as boots. These may include, for example and without limitation, footwear bracelets, charms, straps, chains, toe caps, rands, guards, and the like. However, such aesthetics include complex structures to allow a user to wear it on the boot, thereby causing inconvenience to the consumer. Thus, there is a need for a removable footwear accessory that will allow a user to easily change the ornamentation on the boot or other footwear to complement a different outfit or simply provide variety in style of the footwear on a given day.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a removable collar for a footwear is disclosed. The collar is made of leather and includes a base layer to abut a neck portion of the footwear. The collar also includes multiple magnets coupled to the base layer. The base layer includes multiple pockets to receive the magnets. Each of the multiple pockets is configured to receive one magnet of the multiple magnets. Specifically, each pocket may be stitched to the base layer to house one magnet. Each magnet is configured to magnetically couple with a corresponding metal attachment on the neck portion of the footwear. In an embodiment, the metal attachment is comprised of at least one magnet. The collar further includes a top layer attached to the base layer and concealing the magnets coupled to the base layer. In an embodiment, the top layer includes decorative characteristics.

In an embodiment, the collar includes a first arm and a second arm that extend along a periphery of the neck portion of the footwear when in use. The length of each of the first arm and the second arm is about 150 mm in an embodiment. Further, a first magnet of the multiple magnets is coupled to the first arm and a second magnet is coupled to the second arm of the collar. A third magnet is coupled to a median portion of the collar.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a boot is disclosed. The boot includes a neck portion defining a foot entry opening and at least one metal attachment disposed along the neck portion. The metal attachment may include a first metal insert and a second metal insert coupled to the neck portion of the boot. In designs, where the boot includes a zipper secured to a side portion thereof, the first metal insert is attached to one side of the zipper and the second metal insert is attached to the other side of the zipper. Alternatively, regions on either side of the zipper may include pockets to receive the first metal insert and the second metal insert. In some embodiments, the metal inserts may be magnets.

A collar may be removably coupled to the neck portion of the boot and extends along a periphery of the neck portion. The collar includes a base layer that abuts the neck portion of the boot and multiple magnets attached to the base layer. The base layer includes multiple pockets to receive the magnets. Specifically, each pocket may be stitched to the base layer to house one magnet. Each magnet includes neodymium metal and magnetically couples with the metal attachment on the neck portion of the boot. The collar further includes a top layer attached to the base layer and concealing the magnets attached to the base layer. The top layer may include decorative characteristics.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a footwear collar kit is disclosed. The footwear collar kit includes a base layer to abut a neck portion of an article of a footwear. The base layer includes multiple pockets stitched thereto. Each pocket includes a magnet to couple with a corresponding metal attachment and/or magnet disposed along the neck portion of the footwear. The footwear collar kit also includes multiple top layers to releasably and interchangeably couple with the base layer, for example by a fastener, to conceal the magnets on the base layer. Each top layer may include distinctive decorative characteristics. The top layer coupled to the base layer constitutes a removable collar. In some embodiments, the removable collar can be modified to any shape as long as the arms wrap around the neck portion of the footwear, including for example and without limitation, chevron, scalloped, and zig zag shapes.

The present disclosure references a collar for a boot. However, a person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the collar could be used with different types of footwear. These and other aspects and features of non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure will now become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following description of specific non-limiting embodiments of the disclosure in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Referring to FIG. 1A, a boot 100 is illustrated. The boot 100 is interchangeably and alternatively referred to as ‘the footwear’ in this description. Particularly, FIG. 1A illustrates a first side 102 of the boot 100, more particularly a left boot, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The boot 100 includes a neck portion 104 defining a foot entry opening 106. The boot 100 may be made of leather, synthetic rubber, canvas, or a combination of these materials or other materials known in the art. In an embodiment, the boot 100 includes a metal attachment 108 disposed along the neck portion 104. The phrase ‘metal attachment’ may be understood as metal plates attached to the material of the boot 100. In an embodiment, the metal plates may have a length of about 20 mm and a width of about 10 mm. As such, the metal plates may be visible on the outside of the boot 100 and the lustrous characteristics of the metal plates may add to the aesthetic appearance of the boot 100. The metal attachment 108 may be attached to the neck portion 104 with aid of adhesives, hooks, or any other fastening methods known in the art.

In another embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 1B, the metal attachment 108 may be housed within a first pocket 110 stitched on the neck portion 104 of the boot 100. The first pocket 110 may be stitched in a manner to improve the aesthetics of the boot 100. The metal attachment 108 is not limited to attaching to an exterior of the neck portion 104 of the boot 100. In some embodiments, the metal attachment 108 may be embedded in the material of the neck portion 104. Particularly, the metal attachment 108 may be placed between an outer leather (suede, or other outer material) lining 112 of the boot 100 and the inner boot lining 114.

FIG. 2A illustrates an elevation view of a second side 202 of the boot 100. In an embodiment, the boot 100 includes a zipper 204 secured to a side portion, such as the second side 202, of the boot 100. The metal attachment 108 includes a first metal insert 206 and a second metal insert 208 coupled to the neck portion 104. Preferably, the first metal insert 206 is attached to one side of the zipper 204 and the second metal insert 208 is attached to other side of the zipper 204, as shown in FIG. 2A. The phrase ‘metal insert’ used herein may be understood as an alternative term for metal plates recited with respect to FIG. 1A. As such, the metal plate illustrated in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, and the metal inserts 206, 208 illustrated in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B collectively constitutes the metal attachment 108. Further, the first metal insert 206 and the second metal insert 208 may be attached to the neck portion 104 with aid of adhesives, hooks, or any other fastening methods known in the art.

In another embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 2B, the boot 100 may include a second pocket 210 and a third pocket 212. Similar to the first pocket 110, each of the second pocket 210 and the third pocket 212 may also be stitched in a manner to improve the aesthetics of the boot 100. The first metal insert 206 may be disposed within the second pocket 210 and the second metal insert 208 may be disposed within the third pocket 212. Alternatively, the first metal insert 206 and the second metal insert 208 may be embedded in the material of the neck portion 104 so that the metal inserts 206 and 208 are not visible or minimally visible on the neck portion 104 of the boot 100. It will be understood that the second pocket 210 and the third pocket 212 allow the metal inserts 206, 208 to be removed when desired.

In yet another embodiment, the metal attachment 108 may be embodied as a horse-shoe like plate structure and may either be attached on the neck portion 104 or be embedded within the neck portion 104 so that it is not visible or minimally visible on the neck portion 104. In an embodiment, the metal attachment 108 may also be embodied as a magnet.

FIG. 3A illustrates a front view of a base layer 302 of a collar 300 (shown in FIG. 3B). In an embodiment, the base layer 302 is configured to abut the neck portion 104 of the boot 100. With respect to a median 304, the base layer 302 includes a first arm 306 and a second arm 308 extending in opposite directions as shown in FIG. 3A. In an example, a length of each of the first arm 306 and the second arm 308 may be about 150 mm. With such dimensions, the first arm 306 may be symmetrical to the second arm 308 with respect to the median 304. In an embodiment, the first arm 306 and the second arm 308 of the base layer 302 are configured to extend along the neck portion 104 of the boot 100. Further, the first arm 306 and the second arm 308 are together configured to define a flat top edge for the collar 300. In an alternative embodiment, the first arm 306 and the second arm 308 may be together configured to define a V-shape top edge. It may be understood by a person skilled in the art that the top edge of the collar 300 may be defined in conformance with the size and shape of the neck portion 104 of the boot 100.

The base layer 302 also includes multiple pockets, where each pocket is configured to receive one magnet. As shown in FIG. 3A, the first arm 306 includes a fourth pocket 310, the second arm 308 includes a fifth pocket 312, and a median portion 314 includes a sixth pocket 316. Each of the pockets 310, 312, 316 may be stitched or sewn on the base layer 302. Further, a first magnet 318 is coupled to the first arm 306 by disposing the first magnet 318 in the fourth pocket 310, a second magnet 320 is coupled to the second arm 308 by disposing the second magnet 320 in the fifth pocket 312, and a third magnet 322 is coupled to the median portion 314 of the base layer 302 by disposing the third magnet 322 in the sixth pocket 316. In an embodiment, each magnet may include Neodymium metal. Alternatively, each magnet may be a Neodymium rare earth magnet. In an example, each magnet may have a length of about 20 mm, width of about 10 mm, and a thickness of about 3 mm. In some embodiments, the magnet shape will define the pocket shape. A person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that there are various Rare Earth magnet shapes that can be used.

FIG. 3B illustrates a rear perspective view of the collar 300, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The collar 300 includes a top layer 324 attached to the base layer 302. In an embodiment, adhesive may be used to attach the top layer 324 to the base layer 302 or the top layer 324 may be stitched to the base layer 302. In the disclosed embodiment, the top layer 324 conceals the magnets 318, 320, 322 coupled to the base layer 302. The top layer 324 includes decorative characteristics 326 as shown in FIG. 3C. The base layer 302 and the top layer 324, in the disclosed embodiment, constitute the collar 300. In one embodiment, the collar 300 may be made of leather. A person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the collar 300 could also be made of other materials such as, for example and without limitation, suede, rubber, other textiles, and synthetics. In a further embodiment, each of the top layer 324 and the base layer 302 may be designed to a required shape from remaining leather cut offs or leftover pieces from the boot manufacturing process.

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the collar 300 taken along a section line A-A′ in FIG. 3B. FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of the collar 300 of FIG. 3C, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, a thickness ‘T’ of the collar 300 may be about 9 mm to 10 mm. In another embodiment, the thickness ‘T’ may vary along a length of the collar 300. FIG. 4 also illustrates an enlarged section B showing the fourth pocket 310 in the base layer 302 and the first magnet 318 disposed in the fourth pocket 310. In an embodiment, a width ‘W’ of each pocket, such as the fourth pocket 310, formed in the base layer 302 is greater than a width ‘M’ of respective magnet, such as the first magnet 318. Such arrangement allows the magnet to move within the respective pocket. The collar 300 may be dimensioned to be available in three sizes, such as small, medium, and large depending on the user's boot size. In certain embodiments, the small size of the collar 300 may be applicable for sizes 5″ to 7″ of the boot 100, the medium size of the collar 300 may be applicable for sizes 7.5″ to 9.5″ of the boot 100, and the large size of the collar 300 may be applicable for sizes 10″ to 12″ of the boot 100. The movement of the magnets within the pockets provided in the base layer 302 allows for any correction in alignment between the magnet and corresponding metal attachment 108 and causes the collar 300 to snugly attach to the neck portion 104 of the boot 100.

FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B illustrate the first side 102 and the second side 202 of the boot 100, respectively, having the collar 300 coupled to the neck portion 104 thereof. The collar 300 may be held around the neck portion 104, when the magnets 318, 320, 322 coupled to the base layer 302 align with the metal attachment 108 on the neck portion 104. In the aligned condition, movement of the collar 300 closer to the neck portion 104 causes the magnets 318, 320, 322 to magnetically couple with corresponding metal attachments 108. In cases where the magnets 318, 320, 322 are slightly misaligned with the corresponding metal attachment 108, the magnets 318, 320, 322 move within the respective pockets to align and magnetically couple with the corresponding metal attachments 108. Therefore, the collar 300 can be conveniently and removably coupled to the neck portion 104 of the boot 100. The length of the collar 300 may be predetermined for a particular boot, so that the collar 300 does not interfere with the zipper 204, as shown in FIG. 6B. The length and other dimensions of the collar 300 can vary to correspond to a boot size for optimal functionality and aesthetic appeal. A person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the the shape of the pockets 310, 312, 316 and the magnets 318, 320, 322 in the boot 100 and the collar 300 is not limited to square or rectangle. Many other shapes may also be used.

Although the collar 300 is described to be releasably coupled to the neck portion 104 of the boot 100, it should be understood that, in alternate embodiments, the collar 300 may also be releasably coupled to any desired portion of the boot 100, albeit with few variations to the aspects described herein but without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Also, the boot 100 shown herein is only for illustrative purposes and should not be construed as limiting. The collar 300 in the disclosed embodiment may also be applied to military shoes or boots, stilettos, high-heel shoes, men's dress shoes, athletic shoes, or any other men's or women's shoe, or any other type of footwear that includes a neck portion. Further, the figures of the present disclosure illustrate only the left boot 100 of a pair of boots (not shown). Although not illustrated herein, it should be understood that the features described herein for the left boot 100 are also applicable to a right.

FIG. 7 illustrates a footwear collar kit 700, hereinafter alternatively referred to as the kit 700. In an embodiment, the kit 700 includes a base layer 702 that includes all features described with respect to the base layer 302 of FIG. 3A. The kit 700 further includes multiple top layers, such as a first top layer 704 and a second top layer 706. Each top layer 704, 706 includes distinctive decorative characteristics as shown in FIG. 7. In an embodiment, each top layer 704, 706 is configured to releasably and interchangeably couple with the base layer 702. Such flexibility allows a user to personalize and customize the boot 100 based on personal color preferences, style, occasion, mood, and budget. In an example, the releasable coupling between the top layers 704, 706 and the base layer 702 may be achieved by a fastener, such as a Velcro fastener or any other detachable fastening methods known to a person skilled in the art that will support aesthetic features and decorative design elements of varying application and weight. Although the kit 700 is illustrated with two top layers 704, 706, it will be understood that the kit 700 may include multiple top layers, each having distinctive decorative characteristics. In another embodiment, the kit 700 may include the first top layer 704 permanently fixed to the base layer 702 and the second top layer 706 may be permanently fixed to another base layer 702, such that the kit 700 may include two complete interchangeable collars with the distinctive decorative characteristics for a user to purchase and use with footwear such as the boot 100. Further, the kit 700 may include more than one collar with distinctive decorative characteristics on the top layers.

The present disclosure provides removable or interchangeable collar 300 that allows a user or wearer to customize and enhance aesthetics of the boot 100 based on personal preferences. With the magnets 318, 320, 322 and the metal attachment 108 arrangement, the collar 300 may be quickly and conveniently attached to the neck portion 104 of the boot 100. Similarly, the collar 300 may also be quickly and easily removed from the boot 100.

In an embodiment, the magnets 318, 320, 322 may be disposed in the respective pockets of the collar 300, such that north pole of each magnet 318, 320, 322 faces a foot insert cavity of the boot 100 when the collar 300 is coupled to the neck portion 104 of the boot 100. With such orientation of the magnets 318, 320, 322, healing and relief of the feet, including, for example, reduction in swelling and increase in blood circulation, may be achieved.

In an embodiment, the base layer 302 and the top layer 324 of the collar 300 may be designed from leather pieces leftovers from boot manufacturing, thereby contributing to sustainability and ethical manufacturing practices while also reducing cost.

The collar 300 is designed with a symbiotic system that is unique in the boot industry. In some embodiments, the boot 100 aesthetic can be altered every time a new collar is attached at the magnetic attachment points. The magnetic attachment points are the symbiotic system that is exclusive to the boot 100 and the collar 300. The collar 300 may not attach to just any boot. Certain embodiments of the boot 100 should have the aligning magnetic attachment points that are embedded in the boot 100 and the collar lining. This innovation is simple, yet significant in the fashion industry as it allows flexibility to adapt to the consumers individual personality, mood, style and occasion. Due to the symbiotic relationship between the boot 100 and the collar 300, it creates a new exclusive product rather than a generic accessory that can go onto any shoe.

While aspects of the present disclosure have been particularly shown and described with reference to the embodiments above, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various additional embodiments may be contemplated by the modification of the disclosed machines, systems and methods without departing from the spirit and scope of what is disclosed. Such embodiments should be understood to fall within the scope of the present disclosure as determined based upon the claims and any equivalents thereof.