Shoe
A convertible shoe includes a sole assembly having a forward end and a rearward end and including an outer sole receivable upon a walking surface, an inner sole to receive a foot of a wearer thereon, a toe section proximate the forward end, and a heel section proximate the rearward end. A convertible section is attached to the sole assembly, which moves between a retracted position revealing one of the toe and heel sections, and a deployed position opposing the one of the toe and heel sections. A recess formed into the sole assembly is provided to receive the convertible section in the deployed position.
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/916,656, filed Aug. 12, 2004.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates to footwear.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe prior art is replete with footwear of various types and styles. Of immediate interest are shoes, generally the type commonly referred to as low-quarter, and sandals.
Common to shoes and to sandals is a sole assembly which includes an outer sole and an inner sole. The outer sole, which is receivable upon a walking surface such as pavement, is generally fabricated of a durable material such as rubber or leather. The inner sole, usually fabricated of a resilient material such as foam rubber, receives the foot of a wearer thereon. The toes of the foot bear upon a toe section of the inner sole proximate the forward end of the sole assembly. The heel of the foot bears upon a heel section of the inner sole proximate the rearward end of the sole assembly. It is within the scope of the art that the outer sole and the inner sole may be of unitary construction of a singular material.
The conventional sandal has a vamp traversing the sole assembly and secured thereto at opposite ends. The insole of the foot is received within the vamp. The heel and the toes of the foot are exposed. A shoe also has a vamp for receiving the insole of the foot. Indifference to the sandal, however, the shoe also includes panels which embrace the toes and the heel.
Shoes and sandals are usually worn for different purposes. Sandals are commonly preferred for casual or informal wear. Sandals are also footwear of choice when the ambient temperature, indoors or outdoors, is warm. Shoes are generally preferred for more formal wear. Due to the greater coverage of the foot, shoes are more desired in cooler temperatures.
It is not common practice to wear one type of footwear and carry another in reserve. Changing from one type to another generally requires that the wearer make a return to home for the exchange.
Therein lies a problem. For example, many establishments, especially restaurants, demand that the foot be covered as a requirement for admission. The would-be diner, then, having been on a casual outing and wearing sandals must either forsake the restaurant or make a time wasting trip to another location to change into shoes. A reverse situation, in which the wearer has shoes, is also plausible.
There are other occasions when having either shoes or sandals gives rise to the other. For example, the wearer may have ventured forth in the heat of the day wearing sandals. As evening draws nigh and the temperature falls, shoes would be more desirable. Conversely, the wearer may have ventured out in the cool of the morning wearing shoes. As the sun rises and the temperature increase, sandal would be more desirable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe above problems and others are at least partially solved and the above objects and others realized in a convertible shoe including a sole assembly having a forward end and a rearward end, an outer sole receivable upon a walking surface and an inner sole for receiving the foot of a wearer thereon. The assembly further includes a toe section proximate the forward end and a heel section proximate the rearward end.
The foot of the wearer includes a heel borne by the heel section of the sole assembly, a plurality of toes borne by the toe section of the sole assembly and an inner step intermediate the heel and the toes. A vamp carried by the sole assembly receives the instep of the foot.
The convertible shoe includes a convertible section movable between a retracted position wherein the convertible section is compressed to reveal the toes of the foot and a deployed position in which the convertible section extends over the toes of the foot.
In accordance with the principles of the instant invention, the convertible section includes a rearward edge affixed to the forward edge of the vamp and a forward edge in contact with the sole assembly when the section is in the deployed position. Also provided are retention means for detachably securing the forward edge of the convertible section to the sole assembly when the convertible section is in the deployed position.
It is within the principles of the present invention that a recess is formed into the sole assembly for receiving the forward edge of the convertible section when in the deployed position. Retention means are provided to detachably retain the forward edge of the convertible section within the recess. In accordance with one embodiment, the retention means includes an element of an engagement pair carried with the recess and a complemental element of the engagement pair carried by the convertible section. More specifically, the engagement pair includes an element of a hook and loop fastener and a complemental element of the hook and loop fastener. Alternately, the retention means includes a detent residing within the recess for snapedly receiving the forward edge of the convertible section.
The principles of the present invention contemplate that the inner sole terminates at the forward end with an upright surface and the outer sole terminates with a terminal section extending forward of the forward end of the inner sole and having an upper surface. The upright surface of the inner sole and the upper surface of the outer sole cooperate to form a recess for receiving the forward edge of the convertible section when in the deployed position. Retention means within the recess detachably secure the forward edge of the convertible section when in the deployed position.
It is within the purview of this invention that an arcuate rib be integral with the forward edge of the convertible section and be pivotally movable relative the sole assemble. The rib is detachably retained within a recess within the sole assembly when the convertible section is in the deployed position. It is also contemplated that a second rib may be integral with the convertible section intermediate the forward edge and the rearward edge.
In a further embodiment, in accordance with the principles of the present invention, the convertible section includes a plurality of down turned ribs pivotally movable relative the sole assembly. A flexible panel is supported by the several ribs. The several ribs are circumferentially spaced when the convertible section is in the deployed position and are mutually adjacent when the convertible section is in the retracted position.
In an alternate embodiment, consistent with the principles of the invention, the vamp includes a forward edge and the convertible section includes a forward edge affixed to the sole assembly and a rearward edge in contact with the forward edge of the vamp when in the deployed position. Retention means are provided for detachably securing the rearward edge of the convertible section to the forward edge of the vamp.
Yet another embodiment is contemplated within the principles of the instant invention. The immediate embodiment includes a sole assembly as previously described. Further provided is a convertible section having a first end residing in juxtaposition with the sole assembly and a second end residing in a lowered position when the convertible section is in the retracted position and an elevated position when the convertible section is in the deployed position and extends over at least a portion of the heel of the foot. Retention means for releasably retaining the second of the convertible section in the elevated position includes a strut secured to the convertible section and having a free end detachably engagable with the vamp.
A preferred retention means includes a protrusion projecting from the vamp and an eyelet carried at the free end of the strut for receiving the protrusion. A recess formed into the sole assembly proximate the rearward edge thereof receives the first edge of the convertible section. It is within the teaching of this invention that the present convertible section may includes a plurality of down turned ribs as described in connection with the previously described convertible section.
Referring to the drawings:
Turning now to the drawings, in which like reference characters indicate corresponding elements throughout the several views, attention is first directed to
In accordance with conventional practice, outer sole 25, which is received upon a walking surface such as a floor or concrete, is fabricated of a durable material such as leather or dense rubber. Inner sole 27 is fabricated of a resilient material such as foam rubber. Alternately, outer sole 25 and inner sole 27 may be integral and fabricated of such materials as rubber or leather. The foot of a wearer is received upon inner sole 27. The instep of the foot is received within vamp 28. The toes of the foot are borne by toe section 29 while the heel of the foot is borne by heel section 30. Further and more specific details of the foregoing not specifically illustrated nor described will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art.
Convertible shoe 20 includes convertible toe section 32 fabricated in accordance with the principles of the instant invention. Convertible toe section 32, as further illustrated in
Convertible section 32 is movable in the direction indicated by the arcuate arrowed line A in
Rearward edge 34 of convertible section 32 is permanently affixed to forward edge 42 of vamp 28. In the deployed position, forward edge 33 of Convertible section 32 is received within recess 43 formed into sole assembly 22. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention recess 43 is defined by upright surface 44 at the forward end of inner sole 27 and the upper surface 45 of terminal section 47 of outer sole 25 extending forward of upright surface 44.
It is within the purview of the instant invention to provide retention means for detachably securing the forward edge 33 of convertible section 32 within recess 43. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the retention means includes an element 48 of a hook and loop fastener within recess 43. A complemental element 49 of the hook and loop fastener is carried by the forward edge 33 of convertible section 32.
Other means are also envisioned for detachably securing the forward edge 33 of convertible section 32 to sole assembly 22. With reference to
Reference is now made to
Vamp 62 having forward edge 63 and rearward edge 64 arcuately spans sole assembly 22 intermediate toe section 29 and heel section 30. The ends of vamp 62 are secured to sole assembly 22 as by pins, glue or by other conventional means known to those skilled in the art. Tab 65 projects forwardly from the forward edge 63 of vamp 62. Two elements 66 of a snap engagement pair are secured to tab 65. Vamp 62, in accordance with common practice, is fabricated of a durable material such as leather. Preferably, tab 65 is integral with vamp 62.
Attention is now directed to
The several ribs are arcuate and down turned. Forward rib 72 is permanently affixed within recess 43, as by glue or other known means. Intermediate ribs 74 and rearward rib 73 are pivotally movable about pin 75.
The several ribs 72, 73 and 74 support panel 77 which may be fabricated of flexible leather, cloth or any other suitable material. A complemental elemental 78 of the previously noted snap engagement pair is carried by panel 77 intermediate rearward rib 73 and the immediate adjacent rib 74.
As noted in
Referring now to
With reference to
Attention is now directed to
With additional reference to
As seen in
Next provided by the immediate embodiment of the invention are a pair of struts 117 and 118. Strut 117 terminates with an end 119 which is affixed to convertible heel section 104 proximate the upper edge 108. Similarly, strut 118 terminates with an end 120 which is affixed to convertible heel section 104 proximate the upper edge 108 at a location spaced from end 119 of strut 117. The struts may be fabricated of leather or any flexible cordage material.
A protrusion 122, as illustrated in
Reference is now made to
In accordance with conventional practice, outer sole 204, which is received upon a walking surface such as a floor or concrete, is fabricated of a durable material such as leather or dense rubber. Inner sole 205 is fabricated of a resilient material such as foam rubber. Alternately, outer sole 204 and inner sole 205 may be integral and fabricated of such materials as rubber or leather. The foot of a wearer is received upon inner sole 205. The instep and, in this instance, toes of the foot are received within vamp 206. The toes of the foot are borne by toe section 209 formed adjacent forward end 202, while the heel of the foot is borne by a heel section 210 formed adjacent rearward end 203. Further and more specific details of the foregoing not specifically illustrated nor described will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art.
Convertible shoe 200 includes a convertible section 215 fabricated in accordance with the principles of the instant invention. Convertible section 215 consists of an elongate band 220 including opposed forward and rearward edges 221 and 222, and opposed first and second ends 223 and 224. Convertible section 215 extends laterally and arcuately across the heel section 210 of sole assembly 201, and opposing first and second ends 223 and 224 thereof are secured to sole assembly 201 for pivotal movement of convertible section 215 along arcuate arrowed line G between a deployed or raised position illustrated in
In the deployed or raised position illustrated in
Still further, in the retracted position of convertible section 215 as illustrated in
It is within the purview of the instant invention to provide retention means for detachably securing rearward edge 222 of convertible section 215 within recess 230 to thereby secure convertible section 215 in the retracted or lowered position as illustrated in
Regarding convertible shoe 200, in the deployed or raised position illustrated in
The present invention is described above with reference to a preferred embodiment. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes and modifications may be made in the described embodiment without departing from the nature and scope of the present invention.
Various further changes and modifications to the embodiment herein chosen for purposes of illustration will readily occur to those skilled in the art. To the extent that such modifications and variations do not depart from the spirit of the invention, they are intended to be included within the scope thereof.
Having fully described the invention in such clear and concise terms as to enable those skilled in the art to understand and practice the same, the invention claimed is:
Claims
1. A convertible shoe, comprising:
- a sole assembly having a forward end and a rearward end and including an outer sole receivable upon a walking surface, an inner sole to receive a foot of a wearer thereon, a toe section proximate the forward end, and a heel section proximate the rearward end;
- a convertible section attached to the sole assembly and having a forward edge, the convertible section movable between a retracted position revealing the toe section and a deployed position extending over toe section;
- a recess formed into the sole assembly to receive the forward edge of the convertible section in the deployed position; and
- means for detachably retaining the forward edge of the convertible section within the recess including an element of an engagement pair carried proximate the recess, and a complemental element of the engagement pair carried by the convertible section.
2. The convertible shoe of claim 1, further comprising:
- a vamp carried by the sole assembly to receive the instep of the foot there under; and
- the convertible section further includes a rearward edge affixed to the vamp and the forward edge of the convertible section being in contact with the sole assembly in the deployed position.
3. The convertible shoe of claim 1, wherein the element of the engagement pair includes one of a hook and loop fastener and the complemental element of the engagement pair includes the other of the hook and loop fastener.
4. The convertible shoe of claim 1, wherein the element of the engagement pair includes a detent carried proximate the recess to snapedly receive the forward edge of the convertible section, the forward edge of the convertible section snappedly received by the detent comprising the complemental element of the engagement pair.
5. A convertible shoe, comprising:
- a sole assembly having opposed first and second ends, an outer sole receivable upon a walking surface, an inner sole to receive a foot of a wearer thereon, a toe section proximate one of the first and second ends, and a heel section proximate the other of the first and second ends;
- a convertible section attached to the sole assembly and having an edge, the convertible section movable between a first position disposing the edge over one of the toe and heel sections and a second position disposing the edge toward one of the first and second ends of the sole assembly;
- a recess formed into the sole assembly to receive the edge of the convertible section in the second position; and
- means for detachably retaining the edge of the convertible section within the recess including an element of an engagement pair carried by one of the convertible section and proximate the recess, and a complemental element of the engagement pair carried by the other of the convertible section and proximate the recess.
6. The convertible shoe of claim 5, wherein the element of the engagement pair includes a detent to snapedly receive a notch comprising the complemental element of the engagement pair.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 10, 2008
Publication Date: Jul 3, 2008
Inventor: Jen-Lung David Tai (Scottsdale, AZ)
Application Number: 12/075,156
International Classification: A43B 3/24 (20060101); A43B 3/12 (20060101);