Shoe Device
A modular shoe system comprises a basic shoe with first snap-on devices mounted on its outer surface, and add-on parts with second snap-on devices mounted thereon. The second snap-on devices have a shape complementary to that of the first snap-on devices so that, when pressed against each other, the first and second snap-on devices attach to each other. A modular shoe system comprising a basic shoe with first snap-on devices mounted on its outer surface, functional add-on parts with first and second snap-on devices mounted thereon for attaching the add-on parts to the basic shoe or to other add-on parts, and decorative add-on parts with second snap-on devices for attaching to the basic shoe or to functional add-on parts.
The present invention relates to a system and method for a modular shoe, using snap-on means for attaching functional shoe parts and/or decorative accessories.
STATEMENT AS TO RIGHTS TO INVENTIONS MADE UNDER FEDERALLY SPONSORED R&DThere was no Federal sponsoring for the present invention, therefore there are no rights deriving therefrom.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONAt present, shoes have a fixed shape and functionality, for example a sneaker, sandal, boot, bootie, etc.
The weather may change during the day, and the shoe chosen in the morning for the day may not be adequate later on.
For children, but not only for them, a shoe having a fixed shape may become boring. Rather, it may be desirable to change a shoe's appearance, to accommodate to a child's mood or to external events, for example.
It is an objective of the present invention to overcome the above and other disadvantages of prior art shoes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present disclosure relates to a modular shoe system. The basic shoe has snap-on means on its outer surface, for easy addition of functional parts.
The shoe's function may thus be changed, to be adapted to varying circumstances, i.e. hot/cold weather, wind, rain, snow, etc.
Throughout the present disclosure, the term “shoe” is meant to also include sandals, sneakers, boots, booties, etc.
Furthermore, the snap-on means may be used to add decorative items to the shoe.
The novel means used—a plurality of snap-on devices on the shoe's surface facilitate the implementation of the above changes. To add a part to the shoe, the user only has to press it to the shoe, and it will snap on it.
It is also easy to remove such parts from the shoe—just pull the part away from the shoe, and it will come off.
Furthermore, the add-ons themselves may include snap-on means to attach another layer of add-ons, which may be either functional items, decorative items or a combination thereof.
Optionally, the shoe parts may further include sealing means between the base shoe and the adds-on, to achieve better protection from wind, rain, snow, etc.
The snap-on means are preferably made of metal and coated with plastic, to achieve a reliable embodiment.
Further objects, advantages and other features of the present invention will become obvious to those skilled in the art upon reading the disclosure set forth hereinafter.
A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings.
A main idea behind the Snappy shoe™ line is the use of a special kind of uniquely developed stainless steel snap coated with nylon color to allow several functions, including for example:
a. Snap on and off various decorative accessories, to allow the change of the shoe's appearance—which are the “snap on” decorative snaps with characters.
b. Snap on and off various shoe components to change the purpose and functionality of a shoe—for example turning a sneaker into a boot by attaching a legging, adding a strap to a slide turning it into a sandal, adding a back cover to a clog turning it into a shoe, adding an extension to a bootie turning it into a boot and most of all a sole that can have multiple uppers attached to it—the “snapon sole”.
In a preferred embodiment, all the attachments are done by using this special kind of snaps that are used for the first time by DAPH DAPH on shoes (the original purpose was mainly for children's clothing).
Thus,
A modular shoe system is thus achieved, comprising a basic shoe 11 with first snap-on means 21 mounted on its outer surface, and add-on parts 31, 32, etc. with second snap-on means 22 mounted thereon.
The second snap-on means 22 have a shape complementary to that of the first snap-on means 21 so that, when pressed against each other, the first and second snap-on means attach to each other.
When pulled apart with enough force, the snap-on means 22 will disengage from snap-on means 21, to easily remove the add-on parts 31, 32, etc., whenever the user may desire to do so.
All the items may be made of leather. Other materials may be used.
Optionally, the shoe parts (boot extension 34) may further include sealing means between the base shoe 12 and the add-on 34, to achieve true boot functionality with better protection from wind, rain, snow, etc.
Thus, in the modular shoe system, the add-on parts 34 are functional additions to the shoe 12 and further include sealing means on their surfaces which come into contact with the shoe 12.
As illustrated, the sandal 132 has a center T strap 38 mounted thereon—also attachable as a separate part.
The ballerina strap 37 preferably include snap-on means thereon, to attach to each other, to the shoe and/or to other accessories.
The sneaker-style sandal 16 has snap-on means 21 thereon, to which accessories are attached with snap-on(F) means 22.
Various different optional uppers may attach to one basic snap-on-sole 25, which may include an arch strap.
FIG. 35—Egyptian riddle
FIG. 36—Doggie tale
FIG. 37—British tea party
FIG. 38—Puzzle land
FIG. 39—Scandinavian myth
FIG. 40—French rave
FIG. 41—Russian flare
FIG. 42—Various shapes
FIG. 43—the basic accessory band
FIG. 44—the basic accessory band with one embodiment of dimensions thereof, for example:
The accessory snap-ons may include both types of snap-on means 21 and 22, to allow them to attach to shoes and to other accessories.
The ornamental accessory snap-ons 44-53, as well as the decorative items 56 (see below) can be attached either to the basic shoe or to functional add-on accessories attached to the shoe.
Thus,
Various means may be used to achieve a modular shoe structure, for example other mechanical means such as Velcro or zipper bands, magnetic means, etc.
It will be recognized that the foregoing is but one example of a system and method within the scope of the present invention and that various modifications will occur to those skilled in the art upon reading the disclosure set forth hereinbefore.
Claims
1. A modular shoe system comprising a basic shoe with first snap-on means mounted on its outer surface, and add-on parts with second snap-on means mounted thereon, and wherein the second snap-on means have a shape complementary to that of the first snap-on means so that, when pressed against each other, the first and second snap-on means attach to each other.
2. The modular shoe system according to claim 1, wherein the basic shoe comprises a shoe, sandals, sneakers, boots, booties, sneaker-style slide, sneaker clog, sneaker-style sandal, toe ring slide, thongs (flip flops), snap-to-sole toe ring sandal, or similar means.
3. The modular shoe system according to claim 1, wherein the add-on parts further include snap-on means for attaching additional snap-on means to the snap-on means.
4. The modular shoe system according to claim 1, wherein the add-on parts include functional items relating to the function of the shoe.
5. The modular shoe system according to claim 4, wherein the functional add-on parts include a fur trim, straps, pockets, attachable bootie extension, ballerina strap, center T strap, attachable back strap, back cover or attachable uppers.
6. The modular shoe system according to claim 1, wherein the add-on parts include ornamental or decorative items relating to the function of the basic shoe.
7. The modular shoe system according to claim 1, wherein the add-on parts further include sealing means.
8. The modular shoe system according to claim 1, wherein the add-on parts comprise functional additions to the shoe and further include sealing means on their surfaces which come into contact with the basic shoe.
9. The modular shoe system according to claim 1, wherein the snap-on means are made of metal and are coated with plastic.
10. A modular shoe system comprising a basic shoe with first snap-on means mounted on its outer surface, functional add-on parts with first and second snap-on means mounted thereon for attaching the add-on parts to the basic shoe or to other add-on parts, and decorative add-on parts with second snap-on means for attaching to the basic shoe or to functional add-on parts.
11. The modular shoe system according to claim 10, wherein the basic shoe comprises a shoe, sandals, sneakers, boots, booties, sneaker-style slide, sneaker clog, sneaker-style sandal, toe ring slide, thongs (flip flops), snap-to-sole toe ring sandal, or similar means.
12. The modular shoe system according to claim 10, wherein the functional add-on parts include a fur trim, straps, pockets, attachable bootie extension, ballerina strap, center T strap, attachable back strap, back cover or attachable uppers.
13. The modular shoe system according to claim 10, wherein the add-on parts include functional additions to the shoe and further include sealing means on their surfaces which come into contact with the basic shoe.
14. The modular shoe system according to claim 10, wherein the snap-on means are made of metal and are coated with plastic.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 31, 2006
Publication Date: Jan 31, 2008
Inventor: Daphne Kaufer (Sunnyvale, CA)
Application Number: 11/495,681
International Classification: A43B 3/24 (20060101); A43B 23/00 (20060101);