Tuesday, July 3, 2018

Oh, patents! Plae's customizable kids shoes (3)

Copyright © Françoise Herrmann

Plae Inc., shoes are also designed for kids! Plae Inc., shoes for kids are customizable, flexible, durable, lightweight, washable, and easy to slip on and off.

The design of the customizable straps on Plae Inc., kids shoes has been granted several US design patents. As a reminder: “a utility patent” protects the way an article is used and works (35 U.S.C. 101), while a “design patent” protects the way an article looks (35 U.S.C. 171) [MPEP Chapt. 1502.01; [R-07.2015]]. 

The following four US design patents, each titled Upper for a shoe with removable straps were awarded for Plae Inc., kids shoes.
  • USD807007 S1 – 2018-01-09 - Upper for a shoe with removable straps
  • USD734014 (S) ― 2015-07-14 - Upper for a shoe with removable straps
  • USD734013 (S) ― 2015-07-14 - Upper for shoe with removable straps 
  • USD734015 (S) ― 2015-07-14|- Upper for shoe with removable strap 

The table below includes a drawing from each of the patents, together with images of sample marketed shoes.  


Plae Inc., kids shoes come in a wide variety of styles. Kid styles can be matched with adult styles (on the Sidekicks page). Shoe straps can be purchased separately to customize the look. The beta version of a Tab Lab, at the Plae Inc., website, enables kids to virtually select their shoes, and to swap the tabs for a preview of how the shoes will look. 

The short video below shows easy it is to swap and customize the Plae Inc., straps. 


References
Plae Inc.
https://www.plae.co/
Plae Inc. Tab Lab(beta)
https://www.plae.co//tablab
Plae Inc Sidekicks
https://www.plae.co/shop/sidekicks/
MPEP – Chapt. 1502-01 – Distinction between design and utility patent