US20080201990A1

US20080201990A1 - Footwear and decorative attachment therefor

Info

Publication number: US20080201990A1
Application number: US11/678,578
Authority: US
Inventors: Scott Andrew Mattingly; Mark Richard Warwick
Original assignee: HOT TOPS
Current assignee: HOT TOPS
Priority date: 2007-02-24
Filing date: 2007-02-24
Publication date: 2008-08-28

Abstract

One embodiment of the invention is directed to a kit that includes a pair of footwear that each have an upper with a patch attachment section for releasably engaging a patch and at least one pair of patches. The pair of patches can depict a character (e.g., a make believe character, cartoon character, movie character etc.). When the pair of patches depict such a character, an embodiment of the kit further includes a descriptor of the character that is used to provide a child with a reference point for playing with the patches or the footwear with the attached patches and for playing with other children that have patches for different characters. Another embodiment of the invention comprises marketing a kit with a follow-on kit that has one or more pairs of additional patches that are adapted to engage the footwear. Yet another embodiment of the invention comprises a pair of footwear that are each capable of accommodating two or more patches and there is a correlation between the views of an item or character and the location on the footwear that accommodates the patch. For example, if the patches depict a sports car, the patches that depict a front view of the car are adapted to be placed on the portion of the upper that is above the wearer's toes or metatarsals and the patches that depict side views of the car are adapted to be place on the side portions of the upper.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to footwear and, in particular, to footwear to which a decorative patch can be attached.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Footwear is defined as clothing worn on a person's foot. Typically, footwear is marketed as a pair of footwear, a right footwear for a person's right foot and a left footwear for a person's left foot. A pair of footwear can take many different forms, including flip-flops, sandals, clogs, sabots, loafers, flats, slippers, boots adapted for various situations or activities, dress shoes, mules, and athletic shoes adapted for various sports or physical activities. A footwear, regardless of the form, includes: (a) a sole with a surface, known as the outsole, that directly contacts the ground when the footwear is in use and (b) an upper that is operatively attached to and located above the sole and that helps hold the footwear onto a user's foot. The sole and the upper define a volume that receives at least a portion of a user's foot.
There are a number of elements that may be associated with a given footwear. These include a heel that is located underneath the heel of the user's foot and includes a surface that contacts the ground when the footwear is in use. A particular type of footwear may also include a structure that is associated with the upper and facilitates the entry of the user's foot into the volume that receives the user's foot and the holding of the footwear onto the user's foot. These structures include a lacing systems, a zipper, a button system, and a strapping system, to name a few.
There have been a number of products designed to augment the appearance of the footwear. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,546,649 discloses a plush toy that utilizes a shoes lacing system to mount the toy to the shoe. Also know are shoe clips that are typically used to adorn women's dress shoes. The shoe clip includes a decorative element and a paperclip-like structure that is attached to the decorative element. The paperclip-like structure operates to engage the edge of the upper that is adjacent portion of the upper that overlies the user's toes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the invention provides a kit that comprises a pair of footwear and a pair of patches to augment or decorate the footwear. Each of the footwear comprise an upper with a first patch attachment section with a first portion of a fastener that is adapted to releasably engage a second portion of the fastener that is associated with one of the patches. In another embodiment, the kit comprises multiple pairs of patches. Typically, each pair of patches is different or distinct from all of the other pairs of patches in the kit. For example, one pair of patches may depict a first plush animal character and a second pair of patches may depict abstract shapes, such as a pair of stars or a pair of hearts or a mixed pair of a star and a heart. In a particular embodiment, at least one of the patches in the kit depicts a character or item and the kit includes a description of the characteristics of the character or item. The description allows the footwear with the attached patch to function as a toy or doll for young children. For example, if a patch may depicts a character with magical powers that are set forth in the description, a child can play with the footwear and attached patch in a fashion commensurate with the described magical powers. The description can be a written description that could be read to a child. Alternatively, the description can be embodied in a playback device that children of a certain age can manipulate.
Another embodiment of the invention comprises a method for marketing footwear that includes: (a) offering a first kit comprised of a pair of footwear and a pair of patches to augment or decorate the footwear, and (b) offering a second, supplementary kit comprised of at least one pair of patches that the wearer of the footwear can use in place of the first pair of patches. In one embodiment, at least one patch of a pair of patches embodies a hologram or prism picture that presents a different picture or view of an object depending on the viewer's perspective.
Still another embodiment of the invention comprises a pair of footwear with at least one of the pair of footwear capable of engaging a patch with one of a hook or loop fastener material such that the patch is located at least partly above the toes or phalanges, at least partly above the phalanges and metatarsals, at least partly around the heel bone or calcaneus, or a combination of such locations of a wearer of the footwear.
Yet another embodiment of the invention comprises a pair of footwear with the upper of the footwear having a hook fastener material, loop fastener material, or combination of hook and loop fastener material at substantially all external locations associated with the upper that would not substantially interfere with the wearer's ability to put on or remove the footwear.
Yet another embodiment of the invention comprises a pair of footwear with each of the footwear having an upper with one or more patch attachment sections that allow one or more patches to be attached to the upper that depict at least two views of an item or character. In one embodiment, there is a correlation between each view and the location of the patch on the footwear. For example, the right footwear of a pair of footwear can have a first patch attachment section associated with the portion of the upper that overlies the toes of a wearer of the footwear, a second patch attachment section located on the outer or lateral side of the upper, and third patch attachment section located on the inner or medial side of the upper. Three patches may depict three views of a sports car. The first patch depicts a front view of the sports car and is designed to engage the first patch attachment section; the second patch depicts a right side view of the sports car and be designed to engage the second patch attachment section, and the third patch depicts a left side view of the sports car and be designed to engage the third patch attachment section. In the case of footwear for young children, such patches allow the footwear to serve the additional purpose of being a toy or, if the patches depict some kind of character, a doll.
In a further embodiment, the outsole of the sole (which includes the ground contacting surface of any heel) is configured so that when the wearer walks a “footprint” can be established on appropriate surfaces that correlates with the item or character depicted in the patch or patches attached to the upper. For example, if a patch or patches associated with a footwear depict a tyrannosaurus rex, the outsole is configured so as to create a “footprint” akin to that of a tyrannosaurus rex when the wearer walks on an appropriate surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of kit according to the present invention that is comprised of a pair of footwear with each footwear capable of engaging a patch, a pair of patches that depict an item or character, and a communication device that describes the item or character;

FIG. 2 illustrates an supplemental kit that is comprised of at least one pair of patches that depict an item or character or portion thereof;

FIGS. 3A and 3B respectively illustrate a lateral side view and a medial side view of a footwear;

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of footwear capable of accommodating a patch in a location that overlies the wearer's phalanges;

FIGS. 5A and 5B respectively illustrate an example of footwear that is capable of accommodating a patch that covers substantially the entire phalanges section of the upper of the footwear;

FIGS. 6A and 6B respectively illustrate an example of footwear that is capable of accommodating a patch that covers substantially the entire phalanges section and substantially the entire metatarsal section of the upper of the footwear;

FIGS. 7A and 7B respectively illustrate an example of footwear that is capable of accommodating a patch that covers substantially the entire calcaneous section of the upper of the footwear;

FIG. 8 is a lateral side view of an embodiment of a footwear that is capable of accommodating a patch that covers substantially the entire lateral side section of the upper;

FIG. 9 is a medial side view of an embodiment of a footwear that is capable of accommodating a patch that covers substantially the entire medial side section of the upper;

FIGS. 10A-10C illustrate embodiments of footwear that each have an upper with an exterior surface that is substantially entirely a portion of a fastener and, as such, allow a patch or patches to be attached at substantially any location on the exterior of the upper;

FIGS. 11A-11C respectively illustrate lateral side, medial side, top views of an embodiment of a footwear with patches attached to the phalanges, medial side, and later side sections where the views depicted in each of the patches is correlated to the location of the patch on the upper; and

FIG. 12 illustrates an embodiment of a footwear with an outsole that is adapted so as to leave an impression or track when the wearer walks across an appropriate surface with the impression or track corresponding to the image of the item or character depicted on one or more patches that can be attached to the footwear.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One embodiment of the invention is directed to a kit comprised of a pair of footwear and a pair of patches that can be used to augment or decorate the footwear. The upper of each one of the footwear comprises a section with a first portion of a releasable fastener. Similarly, each of the patches comprises a section with a second portion of the fastener. To attach one of the patches to one of the footwear, the first and second portions of the fastener are operatively engaged to one another. To detach a patch from one of the footwear, the first and second portions of the fastener are separated from one another.
FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the kit, hereinafter referred to as kit 10. Comprising the kit 10 are: (a) a carrying case 12 for holding the other constituents of the kit, (b) a pair of footwear 14A, 14B, (c) a pair of patches 16A, 16B, (d) a descriptor 18 that describes characteristics of each of the characters depicted in the pair of patches 16A, 16B, and (e) a mounting board 20 that is capable of engaging the pair of patches 16A, 16B.
The carrying case 12 comprises a substantially clear or transparent panel 22 that allows a potential purchaser to view the pair of footwear 14A, 14B, and the pair of patches 16A, 16B, which are typically attached to the mounting board 20 to facilitate the viewing of the patches.
The pair of footwear 14A, 14B, are each comprised of a sole 24 and an upper 26. The upper 26 includes a patch attachment section 28 that has a first portion of a fastener. The first portion of the fastener is directly or indirectly attached to the adjacent portion of the upper by sewing, gluing, or any other suitable mechanism. It should be appreciated that, while a particular type of footwear is illustrated in FIG. 1, the invention is not constrained to any particular type of footwear and can be applied or adapted to any known type of footwear. For purposes of the invention, the sole 24 includes any heel that might be associated with a particular type of footwear.
The pair of patches 16A, 16B respectively depict a pair of make-believe characters, a cow by the name of Moo Key and a cat by the name of Cosmo. It should, however, be appreciates that any number of different kinds of patches can be provided in the kit 10. For example, a patch can be provided that depicts an animal character, a comic book or comic strip character, a television or movie character, a book character, a sport, political, or public figure, an inanimate object, such as a sports car, or an abstract object, such as a star, to name a few. Further, a patch can be made from any number of materials or combinations of materials, including liquid gel, paper, plastic, plush, glow in the dark, and reflective materials. A patch can also incorporate a hologram or prism picture that presents different views of an object to a viewer depending on the viewer's perspective. In addition, a patch can also incorporate a light or lights, if desired.
The descriptor 18 describes characteristics of any character or item depicted in at least one of the pair of patches. For example, the descriptor 18 may state that: (a) Moo Key has a key to all secrets, knows everybody's secrets and shares them with only certain friends and (b) Cosmo can fly throughout the universe and can instantly appear at any location he desires. By providing a description of the characteristics of a character depicted in a patch, the kit 10 provides a context within which a young child can begin to play or construct games based on the provided context, either alone or with other children that have “characterized” patches. It should be appreciated that the descriptor is not limited to patches that depict animate characters but can be applied to objects that depict inanimate objects, like bulldozers, trucks, and sports cars. While the descriptor 18 is illustrated as a written description that a parent or other literate person could read to a young child, the descriptor can take other forms. For instance, the descriptor can be a simple playback device with a recording of the characteristics of the character depicted in a patch and that can be readily actuated by a young child by, for example, a playback device with a large “play” button that can be easily actuated by a small child or a pull string similar to those used in “talking” dolls. The descriptor can also be embodied in a recording medium that can be placed in or downloaded to a user playback device. For instance, the descriptor can be embodied in a compact disc, tape or memory chip.
Another embodiment of the invention comprises providing a primary kit that includes at least a pair of footwear with each of the footwear having an upper with a first portion of a releasable fastener and at least a pair of patches with each of the patches having a second portion of the releasable fastener that is capable of engaging the first portion of the releasable fastener associated with one of the pair of footwear. The embodiment of the invention further comprises providing a supplemental kit that includes at least one patch but may include multiple patches. Typically, the supplemental kit includes one or additional pairs of patches. FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of the supplemental kit, hereinafter referred to as supplemental kit 32. Comprising the supplemental kit 32 are: (a) a carry case 34, (b) two pair or four patches 36A, 36B, 36C, 36D that can be used by a wearer of the footwear associated with the primary kit in place of the patches that came with the primary kit, and (c) a mounting board 36 for holding the patches. The carrying case 38, like the carrying case 12, includes a substantially clear or translucent panel 38 that allows a potential purchaser to view the patches, which are typically mounted to the mounting board 38. If one of more of the patches depicts a character or item that has characteristics, the supplemental kit may include an appropriate descriptor of the character or item that can be used to establish the context for playing with the patches, either attached to or detached from the footwear.
Another embodiment of the invention comprises providing a footwear that has an upper with at least one location or section that has a first portion of a releasable fastener which is capable of engaging a patch with a second portion of the releasable fastener such that the patch is disposed over a defined portion or portions of the footwear. In another embodiment, the upper has multiple locations or sections with a first portion of a releasable fastener that allows multiple patches to be engaged to the footwear. Typically, the footwear is not marketed as a single footwear but rather as a pair of footwear. Further, the footwear can be marketed as part of a kit, such as the kit described with respect to FIG. 1. The fastener used in this embodiment of the invention is comprised of a hook material and a loop material, such as the materials commonly marketed under the trademark of Velcro. The hook material can be associated with the upper and the loop material can be associated with the patch, or vice versa. Further, in embodiments in which the upper has several locations with a first portion of the fastener, one portion can employ the hook material and another portion can employ the loop material, if desired or necessary. Before describing various embodiments of such footwear that are illustrated in FIGS. 4-9, the various sections of an upper are described.
With reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the various portions of an upper of an exemplary footwear 42 are described. FIG. 3A is lateral or outer side view of the footwear 42, and FIG. 3B is a medial or inner side view of the footwear 42. The footwear 42 comprises an upper 44 that can be divided into certain sections that relate to the bone structure or structures that lie adjacent to that section when the footwear is being worn. To elaborate, the upper 44 is divided into a calcaneous section 46 that surrounds the calcaneous or heel bone of the wearer; a lateral side section 48 that extends along the lateral side of the footwear from the calcaneous section 46 to approximately a line that overlies the joint line between the phalanges or toes and the metatarsals; a medial side section 50 that extends along the medial side of the footwear from the calcaneous section 46 to approximately a line that overlies the joint line between the phalanges or toes and the metatarsals; a phalanges section 52 that surrounds the phalanges or toes of a wearer; and a metatarsal section 54 that overlies the metatarsals of the wearer.
With reference to FIG. 4, a footwear 58 is illustrated that includes an upper 60. The footwear 58 is capable of engaging a patch 62 that, when attached to the upper 60, is centrally located in the phalanges section of the upper. A patch capable of being disposed in a location on the upper 60 that overlies the phalanges can, if desired, have a high profile because the patch will be less susceptible to being separated from the upper in this location relative to other locations on the upper. So, for example, the patch 62 can be a plush toy figure or other high profile patch.
With reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B, a footwear 66 is illustrated that includes an upper 68. The footwear 66 is capable of engaging a patch 68 that covers substantially the entire phalanges section of the upper. The patch 68 can, if desired, have a high profile. Typically, however, the high profile portion of the patch is limited to the portion of the patch that overlies the phalanges because the portions of the patch that are located on the more vertical portions of this section of the upper are more susceptible to being damaged or otherwise undesirably engage other surfaces or objects and potentially becoming detached from the footwear. It should be appreciated that a patch can be provided that engages a portion of a fastener located at one or more locations of an upper to cover less than substantially the entire phalanges section of the upper. In addition, multiple patches can be provided that each engage a portion of a fastener located at one or more locations of an upper that, in combination, cover substantially all or less than all of the phalanges section of the upper.
With reference to FIGS. 6A and 6B, a footwear 72 is illustrated that includes an upper 74. The footwear 72 is capable of engaging a patch 76 that covers substantially the entire phalanges section and substantially the entire metatarsal section of the upper. The patch 76 can, if desired, have a high profile. Typically, however, the high profile portion of the patch is limited to the portion of the patch that overlies the phalanges and metatarsals because the portions of the patch that are located on the more vertical portions of these sections of the upper are more susceptible to being damaged or otherwise undesirably engage other surfaces or objects and potentially becoming detached from the footwear. It should be appreciated that a patch can be provided that engages a portion of a fastener located at one or more locations of an upper to cover less than substantially the entire phalanges and metatarsal sections of the upper. In addition, multiple patches can be provided that each engage a portion of a fastener located at one or more locations of an upper that, in combination, cover substantially all or less than all of the phalanges and metatarsal sections of the upper.
With reference to FIGS. 7A and 7B, a footwear 80 is illustrated that includes an upper 82. The footwear 80 is capable of engaging a patch 84 that covers substantially the entire calcaneus section of the upper. The patch 84 can, if desired, have a high profile. Typically, however, the patch has a low profile because the calcaneous section of the upper is more likely to engage other surfaces or objects that could damage the patch or cause the patch to be removed from the upper. It should be appreciated that a patch can be provided that engages a portion of a fastener located at one or more locations of an upper to cover less than substantially the entire calcaneus section of the upper. In addition, multiple patches can be provided that each engage a portion of a fastener located at one or more locations of an upper that, in combination, cover substantially all or less than all of the calcaneus section of the upper.
FIG. 8 illustrates a lateral or outer side view of a footwear 88 that includes an upper 90. The footwear 88 is capable of engaging a patch 92 that covers substantially the entire lateral side section of the upper. The patch 92 can, if desired, have a high profile. Typically, however, the patch has a low profile because the lateral side section of the upper is more likely to engage other surfaces or objects that could damage the patch or cause the patch to be removed from the upper. It should be appreciated that a patch can be provided that engages a portion of a fastener located at one or more locations of an upper to cover less than substantially the entire lateral side section of the upper. In addition, multiple patches can be provided that each engage a portion of a fastener located at one or more locations of an upper that, in combination, cover substantially all or less than all of the lateral side section of the upper.
FIG. 9 illustrates a medial or inner side view of a footwear 96 that includes an upper 98. The footwear 96 is capable of engaging a patch 100 that covers substantially the entire medial side section of the upper. The patch 100 can, if desired, have a high profile. Typically, however, the patch has a low profile because the medial side section of the upper is more likely to engage other surfaces or objects that could damage the patch or cause the patch to be removed from the upper. It should be appreciated that a patch can be provided that engages a portion of a fastener located at one or more locations of an upper to cover less than substantially the entire medial side section of the upper. In addition, multiple patches can be provided that each engage a portion of a fastener located at one or more locations of an upper that, in combination, cover substantially all or less than all of the medial side section of the upper.
Based on the foregoing embodiments of footwear, it should be appreciated that an embodiment of a footwear capable of engaging a patch that covers all or portions of two or more sections of an upper is feasible. Likewise, an embodiment of a footwear capable of engaging two or more patches with each patch covering all or portions of two or more sections of an upper is also feasible. Further, the embodiments discussed with respect to FIGS. 4-9 can be adapted to other types of footwear. Moreover, while the portions or section of an upper described with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B do not include those portions of an upper that are associated with a boot that has a section or sections that extend above a wearer's ankle bone, the adaptation of such a section or sections of a boot to engage a patch or patches is within the scope of the invention.
A further embodiment of the invention is directed to a footwear in which substantially the entire exterior surface of the upper is a portion of a fastener. In some embodiments of a footwear, there are one or more locations where the location of a portion of a fastener for engaging a patch would increase the effort needed by a wearer to put on or take off the footwear or otherwise make it inconvenient for the wearer to put on or take off the footwear. In such embodiments, the portion of a fastener associated with the upper is not placed in this location or locations. The fastener used in this embodiment of the invention is comprised of a hook material and a loop material, such as the materials commonly marketed under the trademark of Velcro. However, other fasteners, such as snaps and magnets, are feasible. The exterior surface of the upper that presents one portion of such a fastener can be all hook material, all loop material, or a combination thereof. Typically, the footwear is not marketed as a single footwear but rather as a pair of footwear. Further, the footwear can be marketed as part of a kit, such as the kit described with respect to FIG. 1.
With reference to FIG. 10A, an embodiment of a footwear 104 is illustrated that has an upper 106 with an exterior surface that is substantially entirely one portion of a fastener. The footwear 104 employs a zipper 108 to facilitate the insertion of a wearer's foot into the interior space of the footwear 104, the holding of the footwear 104 onto the wearer's foot after insertion, and the extraction of the wearer's foot. The portion of the fastener associated with the upper and that is used to engage a patch or patches is located so as not to interfere with the operation of the zipper 108.
With reference to FIG. 10B, an embodiment of a footwear 110 is illustrated that has an upper 112 with an exterior surface that is substantially entirely one portion of a fastener. Metatarsal flaps 114A, 114B of the footwear 104 have a first portion of a Velcro-like fastener located on their undersides that engage one or more second portion of the Velcro-like fastener located on tongue 116 to facilitate the insertion of a wearer's foot into the interior space of the footwear 110, the holding of the footwear 110 onto the wearer's foot after insertion, and the extraction of the wearer's foot from the footwear 110.
With reference to FIG. 10C, an embodiment of a footwear 118 is illustrated that has an upper 120 with an exterior surface that is substantially entirely one portion of a fastener. The footwear 118 employs a pair of straps 122 to facilitate the insertion of a wearer's foot into the interior space of the footwear 104, the holding of the footwear 104 onto the wearer's foot after insertion, and the extraction of the wearer's foot. The portion of the fastener associated with the upper and that is used to engage a patch or patches is located so as not to interfere with the operation of the pair of straps.
A further embodiment of the invention comprises a footwear with one or more patch attachment sections that allow one or more patches to be attached to the uppers that depict at least two different views of an item or character. In one embodiment, there is a correlation between the view associated with the patch and the location of the patch on the footwear. Typically, the footwear is not marketed as a single footwear but rather as a pair of footwear. Further, the footwear can be marketed as part of a kit, such as the kit described with respect to FIG. 1.
With reference to FIGS. 11A, 11B, and 11C, an embodiment of a footwear 126 is illustrated with multiple sections that are each capable of engaging a patch that depicts a view of an object (e.g., a car) that correlates with the location of the patch on the footwear 126. More specifically, the footwear 126 has an upper 128 with a first portion of a fastener located on each of the lateral side, medial side and phalanges sections of the footwear 126. A first patch 130 depicts one side of an item, which in this example is a sports car, and is attached to the lateral side section of the upper; a second patch 132 depicts the other side of the sports car and is attached to the medial side section of the upper; and a third patch 134 depicts a front view of the sports car and is attached to the phalanges section of the upper. In another embodiment, the upper of a footwear includes a first portion of a fastener located at the calcaneous section of the upper that is capable of engaging a patch with a rear view of the item. There are numerous possible variations. For instance, patches with the various views can be attached to a pair of footwear. For example, a patch with a view of one side of an item can be attached to the lateral side of the upper of a right footwear and a patch with a view of the other side of an item can be attached to the lateral side of the upper of a left footwear.
Yet another embodiment of the invention comprises a footwear with one or more patch attachment sections that allow one or more patches to be attached to the upper that depict a particular item, object, or theme, and an outsole that is capable of making in impression on an appropriate surface that is correlated to the “footprint” of the particular item, object, or theme depicted in the patch or patches when the wearer moves across such a surface. Typically, the footwear is not marketed as a single footwear but rather as a pair of footwear. Further, the footwear can be marketed as part of a kit, such as the kit described with respect to FIG. 1.
With reference to FIG. 12, an embodiment of a footwear 138 that is capable of engaging a patch or patches that depict dinosaurs or have a dinosaur theme is contemplated. A pair of such footwear and a number of dinosaur themed patches could be obtained in a kit similar to that illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 12 illustrates an outsole 140 of the footwear 138 with a series of “dinosaur” footprints 142A-142E. When the wearer of the footwear 138 walks on an appropriate surface, the outsole 140 and the wearer's weight will combine to establish a “dinosaur” track. Outsoles that creates different impressions for patches that depict different item or have different themes are feasible. For instance, if a patch depicts a sports cars, the outsole can be adapted to leave a “footprint” that imitates a tire tread.
The foregoing descriptions of the various embodiments of the invention is intended to describe the best mode known of practicing the various embodiments of the invention and to enable others skilled in the art to use the various embodiments of the invention.

Claims

1. A kit comprising:

a pair of footwear;

wherein each footwear of said pair of footwear has a sole for directly contacting the ground and an upper for use in holding the footwear on a foot of a user;

said upper of each of said footwear comprising a first patch attachment section with a first portion of a fastener that is capable of releasably engaging a second portion of said fastener that is associated with a patch;

a pair of patches;

wherein each patch of said pair of patches comprising a second patch attachment section with a second portion of said fastener that is capable of releasably engaging said first portion of said fastener that is associated with one of said pair of footwear.

2. A kit, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

at least one patch of said pair of patches depicts an item or character that has pre-defined characteristics.

3. A kit, as claimed in claim 2, further comprising:

a descriptor that includes a description of the characteristics of the item or character depicted on said at least one patch of said pair of patches.

4. A kit, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said first portion of said fastener of said first patch attachment section associated with one of said pair of footwear is one of a hook material and a loop material.

5. A kit, as claimed in claim 4, wherein:

said second portion of said fastener of said second patch attachment section associated with one of said pair of patches is the other of said hook material and said loop material.

6. A kit, as claimed in claim 4, wherein:

said first patch attachment section, when said one of said pair of footwear is being worn, is at least partly located: above the phalanges of the wearer, above the phalanges and metatarsals, or at least partly around the calcaneus.

7. A kit, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said first patch attachment section of one of said pair of footwear comprises all of said upper, with the exception of any portion of said upper that could interfere with the putting on or taking off one footwear of said pair of footwear.

8. A kit, as claimed in claim 7, wherein:

said first patch attachment section comprises one of: a hook fastener material, a loop fastener material, and hook and loop fastener material.

9. A kit, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said first patch attachment section extends over portions of at least two of: a phalanges/metatarsal covering portion of said upper, a lateral portion of said upper, a medial portion of said upper, and a heel portion of said upper;

at least one of said pair of patches depicts two views of an item or character and said two views are correlated with said first patch attachment section.

10. A kit, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

at least one of said pair of patches depicts an item or character; and

at least one sole of one of said pair of footwear has an outsole that is configured to establish a “footprint” of said item or character when a wearer moves over an appropriately impressionable surface.