Abstract: An article of footwear has an upper in a tented arrangement. The article of footwear includes a sole and an upper including a shroud. The article of footwear further includes a foot engaging system for joining a foot of a user to the sole, and a biasing system which includes a plurality of frame members that urges or influences the shroud away from the foot of the user. The article of footwear further includes a plurality of straps for holding the foot to the sole in which one of the straps engages the heel. The straps are located on an exterior surface of the shroud or alternatively they are located in the interior of the shroud. Air gaps are created between the shroud and the foot for ventilation. Several foot booties for holding a foot have vent openings for providing air to ventilate the foot of a wearer. Further, the foot booties are combined with straps, in which the straps are disposed between the shroud and the foot booties.

Abstract: A type of consumer-modifiable sandal or slipper, chiefly including: A sole into which are inserted two straps. Several assembly bases are embedded in the sole, and serve to hold the strap clips on the straps. The outer edges of the assembly bases are exposed on the surface of the sole. The assembly bases contain insertion holes with upward-facing openings. Window holes pierce the rim of the outer edge of the insertion holes. An insertion plate extends from the bottom of each strap's insertion clip and can be inserted into the insertion hole of an assembly base. The aforementioned strap clips employ spring clips on the insertion plates to catch against the window holes on insertion holes, forming a shoe that is easy to assemble, can be quickly manufactured and assembled, can be produced in large quantities, and can increase profits. Moreover, pressing the spring clip causes it to spring out of the window hole of the insertion hole, easily separating the strap from the sole.

Abstract: A shoe (20) having a removable sole includes an upper (22) and a removable lower sole (34). The upper has an upper sole (24), a heel portion (26), and a toe portion (28). Upper sole (24) has a plurality of upwardly opening alignment holes (30). A lock tab (32) is connected to toe portion (28) and forwardly projects therefrom. The removable lower sole (34) has a heel portion (36) and a toe portion (38). A rearwardly opening slot (40) disposed in toe portion (38) is shaped and dimensioned to receive lock tab (32). Removable lower sole (34) has a plurality of upwardly protruding alignment pins (42) which are engageable with alignment holes (30) in upper sole (24). Lower sole (34) is held in place by inserting lock tab (32) into the rearwardly opening slot (40) in the toe and engaging connector (44) to connect heel portion (26) of upper (22) to heel portion (36) of lower sole (34).

Abstract: A convertible shoe ensemble with a heel that is manually attachable to and removable from the shoe, and a manually attachable and removable heel cover of substantially less height than the heel for attachment to the shoe when the heel is detached.

Abstract: A replaceable elastic air cushion shoe structure includes a sole, and a vamp. The sole has a top provided with a plurality of oblique conical locking grooves and having a periphery provided with a plurality of waterproof ribs. The sole has a periphery defining a plurality of locking recesses each provided with a catch piece. The vamp has a bottom provided with a plurality of oblique conical locking blocks each locked in the locking groove of the sole. The bottom of the vamp defines a plurality of waterproof slots for receiving the waterproof ribs of the sole therein so that the vamp is integrally formed with the sole. A plurality of U-shaped snapping pieces are each secured in the bottom of the vamp and each have two sides each provided with a hook.

Abstract: Footwear having a removable spat-type feature. This feature allows the wearer to remove and replace the spat. The advantage is that it allows the use of different color, design or material spats to color coordinate the footwear with different colored clothes. This feature is of particular benefit when traveling since one pair of shoes with different colored saddles can accommodate a varied holiday wardrobe. In addition, other types of symbols or trademarks may be placed on the spat. The spat my depict indicia indicating membership to a club or other association. The spat and/or the upper may be provided with eyelets for securing the footwear on the wearer. The footwear has a first attachment media sewn into an upper at a level such that when the spat is placed on the upper, upper surfaces of the spat and the upper are substantially flush.

Abstract: A boot is intended for cross-country skiing, ice skating or roller skating, the boot including an upper that includes stiffeners. The boot has a cuff mounted on the upper so that the cuff can articulate forward and rearward. The boot includes two rivets having pins. The rivets are mounted on the stiffeners at a level with the malleoli of the wearer. There are included circular recesses in the cuff with the recesses facing the malleoli and the pins pass through the recesses. There is an arcuate groove located either on the outer surface of the upper or the inner surface of the cuff. There is an arcuate rib located on the cuff or upper opposite of the groove. The rib and the groove have the same radius centered on the pin whereby the rib moves freely in the groove.

Abstract: An asymmetrical article of footwear reversible sole is provided which offers improved performance and fit. The article of footwear is worn on a different foot when reversed. The invention may be shaped to fit the general outline of a person's foot and may be configured to fit the contours of the bottom of the person's foot. Different materials may be used for the different parts of the composite sole thus allowing the reversible, asymmetrical, composite sole to be used in dual purpose situations.

Abstract: A new detachable shoe strap system for providing an assortment of easily interchangeable styles of footwear in a single system. The inventive device includes a sole member having upper and lower surfaces, and a perimeter side wall extending around the perimeter of the sole member between the upper and lower surfaces of the sole member. A heel is detachably coupled to the lower surface of the sole member and is located towards the heel end of the sole member. The system includes a plurality of flexible straps. Each strap has a pair of opposing ends. Each end of each strap is detachably couplable to the perimeter side wall of the sole member the such that the inner surfaces of the straps face the sole member.

Abstract: A shoe has a sole and an upper releasably joined together by a peripheral releasable joining device such as a zipper. The sole has a ridgelike upwardly projecting support member which extends at least partially around the peripheral region of the sole, to form a barrier between the joining device and the interior space of the shoe.

Abstract: A pedicure sandal system that includes a sandal assembly having a number of user positionable toe separation cushion assemblies securable to the sole of the sandal assembly for keeping the user's toes separated and a toe cover assembly for shielding the toes having a number of airflow apertures formed therethrough that is securable to the sandal assembly and shaped to cover the user's toes while providing sufficient clearance to prevent contact between the freshly manicured toe nails and the toe cover assembly.

Abstract: The athletic shoe of the present invention is comprised of a resilient sole portion and an upper portion having an ankle enclosing section and a toe enclosing section. The ankle enclosing section arises from and is secured to the after end of the sole portion and includes a top portion defining an opening through which the wearer's foot may be introduced. The ankle enclosing section further includes an outer side an inner side. A flexible tongue member is attached to the inner side and extends laterally to the outer side. The ankle enclosing section includes a forward area having an opening through which the wearer's forefoot and toes will extend when the shoe is worn. The toe enclosing section is hingedly attached at is inner side to the inner edge of the resilient sole and may be swung upwardly to permit introduction or removal of the wearer's foot. The toe enclosing section is detachably secured to the outer edge of the sole portion at its outer side.

Abstract: A detachable toe strap and ankle strap mounting arrangement for a simple shoe, the arrangement includes at least one pairs of locating members, each locating member having a plug hole and a serrated constraint tongue in the plug hole, at least one pair of mounting strips detachably connected to the locating members, each mounting strip having a transverse insertion slot at the top, and at least one downwardly extended, serrated plug strip at the bottom for plugging into the plug hole on one locating member for engagement with the corresponding serrated constraint tongue, and at least one strap fastened to the at least one pair of mounting strips for securing at least one part of the user's foot to the sole of the shoe, each strap having two ends respectively inserted through the insertion slots on one pair of mounting strips and fixedly secured thereto by stitches, and a pin kept in a hole thereon, the pin being used for insertion into the plug hole on one locating member to disengage the respective serrated

Abstract: The present invention relates to footwear having simplified assembly, which comprises a sole, which is made of plastics and has edges that are at least locally raised, and an upper, which is also made of plastics and has tabs with an enlarged head that are suitable to enter holes provided in the edges of the upper and to anchor themselves so that they withstand transversely the traction applied by the upper.

Abstract: An athletic shoe is convertible from a low-top shoe to a high-top shoe. The convertible shoe includes a sole portion, an upper attached to the sole portion, and a detachable high-top. A securing strap secures the high-top to the upper. Both the upper and the detachable high-top include a series of slots through which the securing strap extends. To secure the high-top to the shoe, the securing strap is fed through each of the slots in the high-top and the upper respectively.

Abstract: An item of footwear including: a sole having a foot resting part, a tread, and at least one through hole which forms an expanded seat at the tread; an upper; and engagement elements connected to the upper. The engagement elements each have an upper end which is connected to the upper and a lower free end arranged distally from the upper which is shaped so as to pass through and elastically deform a respective through hole to eventually grip in a respective expanded seat for connecting the engagement element to the sole without use of any other coupling device. The upper end of each engagement element is substantially flat and has one side which is substantially non-removably attached to a lateral side portion of the upper by any of stitching, gluing and welding techniques.

Abstract: Orthopaedic or post-operative footgear is provided with a removable toe piece. The toe piece is secured to the sole of the footgear to protect the toes of a user against cold, dampness, dirt and possible impact, and it is removed from the sole to allow for visual inspection of the user's toes. The toe piece can include an arcuate upper section and a substantially planar lower section, which can be secured to the sole by hook and loop material. The upper of one embodiment of the footgear is open at the toe and has overlapping flaps extending from opposite sides of the sole.

Abstract: A show having a removable cover for the upper is disclosed. The cover is removably secured to the unfinished shoe upper by hook and loop fastener strips on the lower parts of the cover and shoe upper adjacent to the line where the upper joins the sole of the shoe. The lower edges of the cover are concealed by a vertical strip about the periphery of the sole.

Abstract: A shoelace cover having a translucent window is detachably secured to the upper of a shoe to display and protect the lacings. The shoelace cover comprises a generally triangular edge element, a translucent window composed of tubular elements and connected to the edge element, and fasteners attached beneath the edge element to detachably secure the cover over the throat area of a shoe upper. The translucent window permits the shoelaces to be seen therethrough, may be of different colors and may house a decorative emblem or feature.

Abstract: A shoe includes a spike plate with spikes thereon, removably attached to a sole portion of the shoe to permit selective removal of the spike plate. The shoe includes a rib extending around the peripheral side wall of the sole, and the spike plate includes an upright wall extending around a peripheral edge of a base plate, the spike plate wall having a groove formed on an interior surface thereof cooperable with the rib to selectively connect the spike plate to the shoe. The spike plate includes a forward section pivotally connected to a rearward section along a transverse axis, to permit the forward section to pivot downwardly generally orthogonal to the rearward section of the spike plate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a shoe cover that can be attached to a selected athletic shoe to provide an improved appearance of the upper portion of the shoe. The lower edge of the shoe cover attaches to the bottom of the shoe upper or to the side of the sole portion, so the bottom surface of the sole is not restricted. The top of the cover is retained tightly against the top of the shoe upper to give the cover a snug fit against the selected shoe. The shoe cover also carries one or more ankle supporting straps that are positioned near the wear's ankle when the shoe cover is installed on the shoe. The straps can be wrapped around the user's ankle where they are held closed with fasteners. Thus, the ankle support straps do not require that a separate sock element be worn under the shoe or that the straps be permanently attached to the shoe.

Abstract: A footwear with interchangeable components that includes a base footing supporter, an interchangeable middle sole, an interchangeable insole, an interchangeable base interlocker, an interchangeable ridge connector, and an interchangeable upper member. The interchangeable middle sole is removably mounted to the base footing supporter so that the interchangeable middle sole can be readily changed by user according to user preference. The interchangeable insole is removably mounted to the interchangeable middle sole so that the interchangeable insole can be readily changed by user according to user preference. The interchangeable base interlocker is removably mounted to the base footing supporter so that the interchangeable base interlocker can be readily changed by user accordingly to user preference. The interchangeable ridge connector is removably mounted to the interchangeable insole so that the interchangeable ridge connector can be readily changed by user according to user preference.

Abstract: A healing sandal includes a sole having a forward toe portion, a rearward heel portion, an upper surface, and a bottom surface for contacting the ground. An upper is attached at a bottom side thereof to the sole and extends upwardly therefrom. The upper has two side panels adjustably attached to one another and has an opening above the heel portion. A toe cover and tongue section can be removably attached to the upper. An insole insert is removably inserted within the sandal on the upper surface of the sole. The bottom surface of the sole includes a forward convexly curved surface and a rearward convexly curved surface which converge at an apex such that a rocking motion is achieved during walking for pressure reduction on the foot.

Abstract: This invention concerns a sandal consisting of components assembled without the use of special tooling or skilled labor. The sandal according to the invention consists of a moulded plastic sole on which a moulded midsole is attached and press fitted, said midsole having cuts and projections which couple respectively with the corresponding cuts and projections on the underlying sole.

Abstract: A shoe comprising a vamp, an inner sole, an outer sole, a heel, and an auxiliary heel combined together. The inner sole has opposing slots and locating holes from combining with the vamp by means of screws and combination of slots and projecting-down sides. The outer sole is adhered with a front and an intermediate portion of the inner sole and also combined together with screws. The heel has three vertical holes for screws to combine the heel with the inner sole, and the auxiliary heel being adhered to the bottom of the heel, all the components being tightly and stably combined with little responsibility of loosening from one another.

Abstract: An athletic shoe with an interchangeable wear sole which can be selected to match a specific sport, is disclosed. An upper portion of the athletic shoe is designed for an individual foot of a particular wearer. This upper portion of the athletic shoe contains an attached upper sole which has molded on the bottom surface a plurality of strategically placed protruding resilient knobs and a protruding resilient edge rail which engages knob chambers and a rail slot located on the upper surface of the wear sole. VELCRO surface on the upper sole and the wear sole also are engaged. Interlocking devices on the edge of the upper sole and wear sole are pinned together. The above combination holds the selected wear sole firmly on the upper sole attached to the upper portion of the athletic shoe.

Abstract: A universal protective shield includes a central portion with three or more ingers integral with the central portion; openings located between adjacent fingers and above the sole of the foot covering to which the shield is attached, the openings permitting the fingers and the central portion to be adapted to conform to a foot covering: and screws for fastening the protective shield to a foot covering via bores located in the fingers. Flaps, attached to the fingers, diminish the size of the openings. The present invention may be adapted from a flat template or reformed to fit different shaped foot coverings.

Abstract: A shoe bandage adapted to be worn over foot bandages, foot injuries or foot wounds. The shoe bandage includes a sole part provided with hook and loop fastening surrounding an outer peripheral edge of the sole part. A one-piece unwindable upper material piece forming an upper shoe part is provided along a lower edge with hook and loop fastening material for enabling an fastening between the lower edge of the upper shoe part and the sole part.

Abstract: The interchangeable upper of the disclosed footwear includes a foot covering adhesively secured to an insole molded of relatively flexible, shock-absorbent material to a desired shape, size and thickness, and having a narrow shoulder surrounding its upper surface. This insole is received in a one-piece outsole molded from a material having memory, so as to always seek to return to its original molded shape, which has a bottom corresponding in size and shape to the insole which is surrounded by an upstanding wall having a height which corresponds to the thickness of the insole and a narrow lip extending inwardly from its upper edge. During molding, the bottom may be made flat or, alternatively, the portion of the bottom from the heel to the widest part of the foot may be made flat and the portion forward thereof gently curved upwardly from the plane of the flat portion.

Abstract: A shoe having an upper portion and a sole-and-toe portion which portions are releasably joined together by a male/female track attachment device. The female track is attached to the upper and extends the entire length of the bottom portion of upper. The male track is attached to the sole and is embedded in the sole wall assembly. The bead of the male track is elevated above the sole wall in position to receive the female track. The male track begins at the toe, extends around the heel and terminates at the toe. The upper is connected to the sole by threading the female track through the male track, around the heel until the ends of female track align with the ends of male track.

Abstract: A combination roller skate and ice skate is provided and consists of a boot affixed to top of an elongated base member and a structure for removably attaching a roller skate insert to bottom of the base member so that a person wearing the boot can roller skate. The structure is also for removably attaching an ice skate insert to bottom of the base member so that the person wearing the boot can ice skate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a shoe with interchangeable vamp and sole which comprises a sole (10) with a heel (11) which an air inlet guide (14) is formed in and with an air inlet hole (111) located at the bottom, exposed portion; a guide hole (141) located at the inside, near the rearmost of the portion of the sole (10); a receiving channel (12) with a channel inlet (121) and a channel cavity (122); a plurality of annular segments (13) which are put in the channel cavity (122); an upper-shoe assembly (20) which has a vamp (21), an insole (22); a welt (211) which extends downward from the connected portion of the vamp (21) and the sole (22), a gas bladder (24) with an air inlet (241) and a bladder glove (23); by inflating or deflating the gas bladder (24), the vamp and the sole could be interchanged with the same size of device.

Abstract: The present invention is an athletic shoe with a break-way high top. The shoe comprises an upper which is secured along its lower extent to a sole portion. The upper includes a main body section extending about the heel and sides of the foot and a toe section extending around and over the toe area of the foot. The main body section of the upper defines an ankle opening, the margins of which extend below the ankle bone on the lateral and medial side of the wearer's foot. A break-away high top including an ankle cuff is removably secured to the main body section of the upper and is adapted to wrap around the wearers ankle. Attaching the high top to the upper converts the athletic shoe from a low top athletic shoe to a high top athletic shoe.

Abstract: A sole protector attachment for securement to the bottom portion of woven or knitted socks or slippers includes a sole-shaped thin flat pad formed from a wear resistant material such as vinyl or leather. A narrow edging extends around a periphery of the pad and has an upper surface provided with hook fastener portions of cooperating hook and loop type fastening strips. The hook fasteners engage in the intersticial portions of the fabric of the woven or knitted sock or slipper and serve to secure the sole protector to the bottom surface thereof. In a second embodiment, a plurality of transversely extending elongated rods are sandwiched between the pad and an outer sole member for providing a massaging effect to a wearer.

Abstract: A convertible shoe is provided and consists of a shoe bottom that has a formed outside portion, a middle shank and a raised heel; a shoe top that has a midsole, an insole and an upper vamp portion and fasteners for removably attaching the shoe top to the shoe bottom.

Abstract: A sandal has a removable ankle strap which is anchored to the sandal at its rear portion and has a pair of side straps connected to the opposite side portions thereof. The side straps cross over each other and have one of the ends thereof fixedly attached to the toe portion of the sandal while the opposite ends thereof are looped around the ankle strap. Each of the front straps is fitted through a slot formed in an anchor member. These anchor members being fixedly attached to the sandal directly below positions on the ankle strap over which the front straps are looped. Thus, the front straps can be adjusted individually to tighten or loosen their engagement with the wearer's foot by pulling such strap in one direction or the other through the anchor members.

Abstract: A shoe having an upper portion and a sole-and-heel portion which portions are releasably joined together by a circumferential zipper connection means.

Abstract: An interchangeable shoe and slipper combination includes an upper having a front upper portion secured on a sole and a rear upper portion. A slide fastener couples or uncouples the front upper portion and the rear upper portion so as to assemble a shoe, or form a slipper by separating the rear upper portion from the front upper portion. A detachable heel is fixed under the sole, which includes several heel sections selectively fixed under the sole for adjusting the heel height of the shoe.

Abstract: A shoe sole and a method of manufacture thereof, the shoe sole consisting of a plastic material having a fastening means embedded therein for fastening the sole to the shoe uppers, the fastening means being formed by sprayed die castings of unfoamed plastic material.

Abstract: A shoe with interchangeble shoe straps having spring connectors is provided. The spring connectors are affixed to opposite ends of each strap employed with the shoe. Each spring connector includes at least one loop spring which engages a stud securely affixed in the lower portion of the shoe. The spring connectors and straps can be easily interchanged but are not subject to unintentional disengagement. The spring connectors also provide a desirable amount of resiliency adding to the comfort of the shoe.

Abstract: A convertible shoe having a sole and releasable upper strap portions. Anchoring means attached to the sole edge cooperate with ring means at the ends of the strap portions to releasable secure the upper and sole portions.

Abstract: A shoe comprising a shoe base and an interchangable shoe upper. The interchangable shoe upper comprises a vamp and insole as a unit-construction with means for attachment to the shoe base. The shoe base has means for attachment to the shoe upper unit assembly.

Abstract: Athletic shoes with removable outsoles are disclosed. Each upper is designed to fit an individual foot and ankle of a particular wearer and such upper is provided with an insole securely and permanently connected therewith. Each insole terminates along its peripheral margin with one part of a bead-and-recess mechanically detachable locking member. A removable outsole is provided with a surface contacting tread which is selected to not only best match the surface of a particular sports area but also the condition of such surface at a particular time of use. A flexible member is permanently connected with the outsole and terminates along its peripheral margin with the other part of the mechanical locking member. The outsole and the insole are further connected together by mating Velcro and Duallock members, tongues and grooves carried by the outsole and insole in paired relations, and other interlocking means.

Abstract: In footwear of most varieties including boots and shoes, there is described improved footwear wherein the upper or boot portion of the footwear, including a safety toe cap, is detachably connected to the lower or heel and sole portion of the footwear. Known footwear is integrally formed such that damage to the safety toe cap necessitates replacement of the footwear if the safety features of the boot are to be maintained. In this invention, releasable fasteners such as hooks are deployed about the periphery of the sole. These hooks engage a continuous flexible wire which extends around the lower periphery of the upper portion of the footwear. A toe cap is formed with similar hook fasteners along its lower periphery which also engage the flexible wire. The toe cap hooks are spaced to fit between the hooks deployed about the periphery of the sole when installed. Accordingly, the toe cap may be secured to the upper portion prior to attachment of the upper portion to the sole.

Abstract: Each of a plurality of readily detachably attachable heels and each of a plurality of readily detachably attachable uppers are selectively mounted upon a sole and offer a user the freedom of rapid facile changes in style of footwear.

Abstract: A new and improved shoe structure is disclosed which may be rapidly assembled to define a sturdy secure construction. The subject shoe structure includes an elongated base member having a top surface circumscribed by an upstanding ridge to define a hollowed-out recess. A plurality of locking pins are formed integrally with the ridge and project perpendicularly outwardly therefrom towards the interior of the recess. An elongated strap having a plurality of pin receiving apertures located at the opposed ends thereof is mounted to the base member with the pins of the latter being received in the apertures of the strap. An insole having a configuration substantially conforming to the hollowed-out recess is provided and is mounted within the recess, with the lower surface thereof being bonded to the top surface of the base member. By this arrangement, the locking pins and the opposed ends of the strap are interposed between the base member and the strap to provide a sturdy integral shoe structure.

Abstract: A method of making an article of footwear includes attaching a connecting strip to the peripheral lower edge portion of a pre-formed upper so that the connecting strip surrounds the upper. The connecting strip has a profiled section providing a projecting extension, and a pre-formed ring-like welt member having an inner surface shaped for snapping engagement with the projecting extension of the connecting strip, is snapped into engagement with the connecting strip. A pre-formed sole and heel unit is then attached to the welt member by causing the upper peripheral surface of the sole and heel unit to adhere to the lower surface of the welt member. Alternatively, the pre-formed welt member may be omitted, and the pre-formed sole and heel unit snapped directly onto the connecting strip. In a further alternative arrangement, two separate connecting strips are used on opposite ends of the article of footwear.

Abstract: An improved protective shoe. The shoe may be an industrial or athletic shoe. A protective cover overlies the toe and instep and is at least partially removeable from the shoe itself. The protective cover has an outer flexible sheet and an inner energy-absorbing layer. A particular improvement lies in providing a flap overlying the shoelaces, with a pair of openable flap closure means on each side of the flap so as to provide an unbroken cushioned surface over the very vulnerable high point of the shoe.

Abstract: A method of making an article of footwear includes attaching a connecting strip to the peripheral lower edge portion of a pre-formed upper so that the connecting strip surrounds the upper. The connecting strip has a profiled section providing a projecting extension, and a pre-formed ring-like welt member having an inner surface shaped for snapping engagement with the projecting extension of the connecting strip, is snapped into engagement with the connecting strip. A pre-formed sole and heel unit is then attached to the welt member by causing the upper peripheral surface of the sole and heel unit to adhere to the lower surface of the welt member. Alternatively, the pre-formed welt member may be omitted, and the pre-formed sole and heel unit snapped directly onto the connecting strip.

Abstract: An article of footwear being in the form of a sandle includes a platform, two straps anchored to the platform to secure the platform to a wearer's foot, and an expedient, such as a velcro strip, mounted to the edge of the platform for removably fastening an upper foot covering to the platform to convert the sandal to a shoe and vice versa. The sandal includes a sole, a heel provided on the sole, an arch-engaging loop, an ankle-encircling loop, and one or more toe-receiving loops. The sole, an arch, a wedged heel, and a plurality of channels for movably receiving the straps are formed in a single molded platform to reduce the number of fabrication steps and make the sandle lighter. Each of the loops is anchored to the sole for adjustably securing the sole to a wearer's foot and for adjustably engaging the toe or toes of the wearer's foot. The arch-engaging loop and the toe-receiving loops are formed by a first strap and the ankle-encircling loop is formed by a second strap.