Shoozits

Abstract

To summarize, the shoozit is an interchangeable and affordable shoe skin designed with the American consumer in mind. It can be made in a similar fashion, and with all the same materials as, any type of shoe. The primary difference between a shoozit and a shoe is that the shoozit is only the exterior of a shoe, the shoozit is then adhered to the shoe by coating it with a type of temporary adhesive made for fabric. The idea is to make it easy for the consumer to switch shoozits. It is designed to overlap the user's shoe and hence change its appearance.

Description

Shoozits—an interchangeable, customizable shoe shell. The concept starts with a base, a blank core shoe of unspecified material. The plain, unpatterned base shoe is then paired with/covered by a designed shell (shoozit). The shell can be made up of any of the following materials (or any combination): Nylon, latex, rubber, vinyl, lycra, leather, cotton, faux-leather, plastic, suede, canvas, hemp, minky, wool, polyester, and synthetic materials. The aforementioned material is then coated on one side with a non-permanent adhesive or is attached to a sticky adhesive pad, and cut into varying shapes, patterns, and sizes. The finished material is covered with a thin wax paper so as not to lose stickiness. The paper is easily removable when ready to use. To apply, remove wax paper from sticky side of product. Product is then placed onto the core shoe (consisting of a sole, inside, and tongue) and can cover anywhere from the entire outer shoe to varying portions of the exterior. The shell itself can range in appearance from designs (i.e., drawn illustrations/patterns) to different shoe forms altogether ( such as the appearance of a sneaker, with more casual designs, or the dress shoe, with a more flat, functional appearance). The function of the shell is similar to a decal, only it is made to wholly change the appearance of the shoe.

The shoozit is created using the same process as a standard shoe, only omitting the tongue, shoestrings and sole. The bottom/inside of the shell is cut with the adhesive pad already attached.

Claims

1. The concept of the shoozit is unique in that it solves a long felt, long existing need. Consider that the average person owns four pairs of shoes for everyday use, and, functionality wise, most shoes are fairly similar. If a person could change the appearance of a shoe from casual to work appropriate to high-end/dress, it would not only cost less with only one entire shoe acting as three, but also save time, allowing the consumer to be more efficient in planning and time management. Not to mention, some people buy several different pairs of shoes due to slight modification, such as a change in color, or a different logo or design. This costs the consumer, and in a more frugal market, such sales would surely decrease, and destabilize the local market even more. Now, if the consumer could continue to change styles as frequently as before but with less expense, only without having to purchase a whole pair of shoes each time, would this not, in the mind of the consumer, solve an issue never before realized? Lastly, in the crowded art of footwear, most advancements carry great weight, especially when the final product offers the consumer a chance at creativity and individuality at a lower cost.