Shoe and boot construction with attachable components
The present invention generally relates to a shoe system that has one or more interchangeable members. This invention consists of a shoe, boot or sandal foundation that is constructed with a depression or an allotted space on the foundation that allows for an attachable cover member that may be used to embellish the shoe or to color coordinate with an outfit or accessories.
The fashion industry has traditionally marketed shoes having a specific appearance (e.g. color) that would allow the consumer to coordinate the shoe with clothing purses and the like. The prior art disclosed several inventions which intend to provide interchangeable components. A number of prior art patents disclose shoe constructions teaching interchangeable components such as upper and heels. Some of the more pertinent prior art relating to shoe wear of these types are briefly described hereinafter.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,608,072 ('072 Patent), which issued to Thatcher, disclosed certain Means for Attaching Heels. The '072 Patent describes an article of footwear having a heel seat, a locking member thereon of graduated height and having sides inclined horizontally in relation to the heel seat, and a heel having a recess having an open end an undercut side wall, adapted to receive said locking member in locking engagement therewith, whereby as the heel is moved along the heel seat it will be forced by said locking member against said seat.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,646,497 ('497 Patent), which issued to Gillikin, discloses a Shoe with Interchangeable Heels. The '497 Patent describes a shoe construction having angle irons mounted to the heel seat of the shoe for slidably mounting interchangeable low and high heels. An arch supporting plate is attached to the shoe shank for rendering vertical support to the shank when a high heel is utilized. An elastic band is attached to the upper opening for retaining the upper snugly against the wearer's foot. Stiffening strips are attached to oppositely-disposed vertical arch portions of the shoe to prevent outward bulging of this shoe portion when the high heel is employed.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,219,946 ('946 Patent), which issued to Baum, discloses a Shoe with Interchangeable Heel. The '946 Patent describes a shoe with an interchangeable heel comprising two parts, a main base member part reinforced in its rear end section by a rigid plate and a separate heel part. The heel part is fitted to the reinforced section of the base member part by a ferrule, fixed to one part, having a projecting portion of non-circular cross-section which locates in a aperture of complementary shape in the other part so as to position and prevent rotation of the heel, and a removable locking element is provided to lock the heel part in place.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,267,649 ('649 Patent), which issued to Smith, discloses an Interchangeable Shoe. The '649 Patent describes an article of footwear of an interchangeable nature permitting alteration by the wearer of the shoe appearance and configuration. There is provided an outbase member of unitary construction having toe, central, and heel portions, there being a heel unit carried upon the heel portion of wedge defining character. A top base member sits upon the heel, having a forward portion attached to the central portion of the outbase member. The latter, heel unit and top base member are secured by a selectively removable cooperative fabric securement and/or arrangement. The inbase member overlies the toe of the outbase member, being detachably secured thereto, and preferably interengages portions of the top base member to provide a hinge-defining construction in the central portion of the shoe. A sock liner overlies the inbase member and top base member, being selectively and easily removed for access to the other elements of the shoe for interchangeability purposes. Various uppers providing front and rear quarters are detachably secured to the shoe at the toe and heel portions thereof. A heel unit is covered with a detachable cover which is reversible for providing different exterior colors.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,581,910 ('910 Patent), which issued to Lewis, discloses a Shoe with Interchangeable Heel. The '910 Patent describes a shoe wherein its heel can be interchangeable attached to the heel portion of the outbase member of the shoe by extending a large bolt through an opening on the rear portion of the outbase member, such that it is threadedly engaged with a sleeve permanently mounted within a recess on top of the heel. A device is provided for anchoring and orientation of the heel.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,992,058 ('058 Patent), which issued to Jneid, discloses a Detachable Shoe Strap System. The '058 Patent describes 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 base member having upper and lower surfaces, and a perimeter side wall extending around the perimeter of the base member between the upper and lower surface of the base member. A heel is detachably coupled to the lower surface of the base member. A heel is detachably coupled to the lower surface of the base member and is located towards the heel end of the base member member. The system includes a plurality of flexible straps. Each strap has a pair of opposing ends. Each end of each strap is detachably coupleable to the perimeter side wall of the base member such that the inner surfaces of the straps face the base member.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,598,324 ('324 Patent), which issued to Tsuji, discloses Bowling Shoes having Customizable Ground Engagement. The '324 Patent describes a bowling shoe construction having various options for adjustment with removable and replaceable slide parts to attach to the thread surface of a slide shoe. The slide parts can attach interchangeably using hook and pile loop fasteners. A kick shoe includes an interchangeable kick part covering the toe area. The kick part can be attached using adhesives or hook and pile loop fasteners.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,651,359 ('359 Patent), which issued to Bricker, disclosed an Interchangeable Shoe Strap System. The '259 Patent describes an interchangeable shoe strap system for altering the decorative look of a shoe. The interchangeable shoe strap system includes a shoe having strap members for securing the shoe to a user's foot, and a plurality of decorative strap covers which are selectively coupable to the strap members for altering the overall appearance of the shoe.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,171,768 ('768 Patent), which issued to Klein, discloses a Modular Shoe System. The '768 Patent describes a modular shoe system having interchangeable uppers and outbase members, comprising an internal support structure, a plurality of interchangeable first removable covers and the plurality of interchangeable second removable covers. The internal support structure includes a midbase member, a heel counter and a toe box. The internal support structure has a front portion including the toe box and a rear portion including the heel counter. Each of the first removable covers includes a front upper and a front outbase member. Each of the first removable covers is configured for being alternately removably attached to the front portion. Each of the second removable covers includes a rear upper and a rear outbase member. Each of the second removable covers is configured for being alternatively removably attached to the rear portion.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,210,251 ('251 Patent), which is issued to Rolle, discloses a Shoe with Interchangeable Covers. The '251 Patent describes a modified pair of woman's shoes consisting of a base, a base member with a removable heel, and a cover which is attached to the base and the base member with two sets of straps joining under the base member and fastened together with hook and loop fasteners. The base of the show features a layer of padding for extra comfort and low rising vertical sides for supporting the interchangeable cover. The base member of the shoe is formed with a pair of notches on the bottom, one in the toe area and one in the arch area. These notches serve as guides into which the straps are placed and secured to one another. The cover can be made in various styles from dressy and elegant to casual and sporty by adding decorative items, such a zippers, buttons, bows, and the like and by varying the heel height and width. The interchangeable covers and heels allow the owners to have numerous pairs of shoes for the price of one. Thus any woman could save money through purchase of one pair of shoes as opposed to purchasing shoes to coordinate with every outfit in her wardrobe. Additionally, the female traveler could pack a single pair of shoes to complete a number of ensembles, thereby reducing the load with which she travels.
United States Patent Application Publication No. US 2003/0192205, which was authored by Linens, describes a shoe cover system for Clog and Loafer type shoes that allow you to change the appearance of the shoes as desired. The shoe covers allow the wearer to partially change the top and side appearance of a pair of shoes to different colors, shapes, prints, designs, textures or styles. The covers provide a fast and inexpensive way to match the shoes to a varied wardrobe in just a few seconds.
United States Patent Application Publication No. US 2003/0233772, which was authored by Mucial, describes a shoe having a plurality of interchangeable top covering for altering the appearance of a shoe. The shoe includes a shoe base and at least one top covering for the shoe. The top covering is removably affixed to the shoe base. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the top covering is positioned over a top portion of the wearer's foot, in front of the wearer's ankle. The top covering may be attached by any fastening means, such as hook and pile strips, snaps, laces or hooks. When the wearer desires, the top covering is exchanged for another top covering to alter the exterior appearance of the shoe.
United States Patent Application Publication No. US 2005/0016026, which was authored by Long, describes athletic shoes which have evolved into a very desirable and trendy piece of clothing. They are available in many shapes, sizes, and colors. However, to date all shoe pieces and designs are fixed to the shoe. My technology will allow shoe colors and or designs to be changed daily and as easily as the rest of one's clothes while utilizing only one pair of shoes. Interchangeable pieces will be made useful just as different colored shoe strings are now available.
United States Patent Application Publication No. US 2005/0066550, which was authored by Liu, describes a woman's shoe which includes a base member, a heel and a base strap secured to opposite sides of the shoe and positioned to extend across of the wearer's foot. Strap covers are provided in various colors, materials, shapes and decorative surface patterns. The strap covers are each removably attachable to the base straps, in covering relation thereto, and are selectively interchangeable to provide a variety of different styles and appearances, thereby allowing the same shoe to be worn with many different outfits. The shoes are provided in different sizes, heel shapes and heights to further enhance the versatility of style and appearance, ranging from formal to casual.
United States Patent Application Publication No. US 2008/0098622, which was authored by Berrins, describes a sandal comprising layered footwear components includes a lower base, a middle member replaceable platform which secures the straps, and an upper member replaceable inbase member. A hollowed out center area creates a perimeter side wall on the top of the base into which the platform is stored. A frontal (toe area) and rear (heel area) ledge crosses the toe and heel areas of the superior base horizontally. The straps are attached to a platform and secured by a present choice of a hook and loop fastener. A midpoint lock on the platform is eased under the front and rear ledges on the base. A midpoint lock on the platform further secures the platform and under the overlapped straps and placed into the remaining hollow area of the base hiding the shoes components. The straps and inbase member cooperate to form a shoe upper for receiving the foot. Platforms and inbase members are interchangeable to heel, flat or wedge style bases. Exchangeably connected straps to platforms are repeatedly adjustable in horizontal and vertical directions for comfort and mix and match to create many shoe styles.
It may be seen from an inspection of the prior art that the art is silent on a shoe construction having a base member with a depression on the vamp, the back, the upper regions of the shoe or boot body or on the sides of the shoe base. This depression on the shoe is for an attachable component. The depression allows for the attachable component to fit in a planar way onto the shoe base thus appearing to be part of the actual shoe construction.
The fashion industry has traditionally marketed shoes having a specific appearance (e.g. color) that would permit the user to coordinate the shoe with clothing and purses and the like. The prior art disclosed several inventions which intent to provide interchangeable components.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONShoes are worn for a number of reasons. Some people select a shoe for fashion or for comfort. The present invention generally relates to shoes women and in particular to shoes with changeable heel and base covers.
The present invention relates to a shoe system. Shoes are always needed. Because people like to coordinate their shoes with their clothes, they often buy several pair. This invention is also ideal for shoe manufacturers. A company usually designs several shoes and then they make them in many different colors. It is usually their logo that is changed with the shoe and displayed in many colors. This invention allows you to have one shoe that can match with many different outfits. Furthermore, this invention will save the consumer money and space in their closet. This invention is ideal for a budget conscious person. The said invention allows you to personalize your shoes.
The present invention relates to an improved shoe system that allows for more versatility, which can be provided in varying colors, textures, embellishments, and designs.
The present invention comprises a boot, shoe or sandal base with detachable components that allow for attachable components that are attached via Velcro® Hook4 and Loop5. The base may be made with Hook or Loop fastener so long as it is matable with the reciprocating component. The preferred method is Velcro® Hook and Loop although other fastening means may be implemented, anything that will lend itself to the invention such as snaps or zippers.
In view of the fact that the prior art is silent on a shoe construction having a depression on an allotted area that employs changeable components which allows the components to fit in a planar way. To achieve this and other readily apparent objectives, the present invention essentially discloses a heel and or base construction for enabling a user to selectively attach a component for improving the appearance of the shoe or heel. The shoe construction according to the present invention comprises a heel foundation, a sole foundation, and at least one attachable component.
So that the manner in which the above recited features of the invention are attained and can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to the embodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the appended drawings.
It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.
Depending on different configurations, the attachable components may vary in shape and size. The Velcro® portions will be attached to the back of the attachable component, as it engages with a reciprocating Velcro® portion, attached to the heel or shoe region within a depression of the heel or shoe foundation.
Attachable components may employ other fastening means, such as snaps, screws, mechanical traditional snaps, buttons, Velcro® Hook and Loop, linear zippers, linear dual post zippers, and curved zippers.
The fastening devices may not be concealed. Further, it is noted that such non-concealed fasteners can be attached by being sewn in, glued and punch pressed and by any other means conventionally known to those skilled in the art.
To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, wherever possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures.
- 1—depression
- 2—cover component
- 3—high heel
- 4—wedge heel
- 5—hook Velcro
- 6—loop Velcro
- 7—sole base
- 8—toe region
- 9—heel region
- 10—band strap
- 11—ankle strap
- 12—boot foundation
- 13—sandal foundation
- 14—shoe foundation
It will now be seen that there has been provided a shoe member with a depression on the vamp, the side, the rear region (behind the heel), a strap, a band or on the base of the shoe that allows for an upper member or a cover member to be affixed to it.
It is believed that the advantages of this invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. It will also be apparent that a number of variations and modifications may be made therein without departing from its spirit and scope. Accordingly the foregoing description is to be construed as illustrative only, rather than limiting. This invention is limited only by the scope of the following claims.
I claim a shoe, boot or sandal that may be any height with depressions of different configurations for the attachable components made with hook or loop fastening means (preferably Velcro® Hook or Loop so long as it is matable with the upper member) and may be constructed anywhere on the body, vamp, the sides, the sole (wedge, platform or sole of any thickness) or on the heels of the shoes as shown in the drawings.
Claims
1. Wherein as claim 1, a shoe system that has utility alone and that may have a design stitched into the depression of the shoe foundation where the upper member may be affixed to it.
2. Wherein as claim 1 a shoe system that allows you to change a component, upper member or a cover component to an existing foundation that creates versatility.
3. Wherein as claim 1, a shoe, boot or sandal foundation that is made with a depression that allows for an attachable member to fit in a flush or planar way with the rest of the foundation and comes with an attachable member already affixed to the depression.
4. Wherein as claim 1 I claim an attachable member that is made with loop fastening means attached to the back of it which allows for it to be affixed to a corresponding depression that has hook fastening means within it.
5. Wherein as claim 1, an attachable cover member that may be constructed of rhinestones, beads, leather, silk, studs. jewels, denim, embroidered fabric, fur, hardware, buckles, belts, rubber, plastic, wool, silk, nylon, polyester, satin, canvas, cotton, straw, raffia, rope or any other fabric or component that may lend itself to the invention with fastening means on the back of the members.
6. Wherein as claim 1, a shoe, boot, or sandal foundation of any material such as cork, rubber, leather, wood, gum, or any other that is known to those skilled in the art.
7. Wherein as part of claim 1 and 2 A shoe system made with attachable components that attach via Velcro® but it is noted that other fastening means may be used such as snaps or non concealed fasteners that can be attached by sewn in, glued and punch pressed and other means know conventionally known to those skilled in the art that allows you to affix it to a corresponding foundation.
8. Wherein as claim 1 and 2 an attachable component that may be of any configuration such as circles, ovals, squares, diamonds, triangles, rectangles, hearts, stars, zigzags, pentagons, hexagons, octagons, half circles, moons or any other designs that would fit on the foundation. All of these attachable members may have a tab that facilitate the removable or application of the members.
9. Wherein as claim 1 and 2 an upper member that attaches at the center to a reciprocating depression in a foundation but hangs over part of the vamp of the foundation or wherever the allotted exists for the upper member.
10. As a second invention I claim a sandal system with attachable components that allow you to change the straps, heel or the face of the shoe base by means of a cover or upper component via Velcro.
11. Wherein as claim 2 I claim a removable toe strap.
12. Wherein as claim 2 I claim a sandal foundation with changeable heels or shoe bases via Velcro.
13. Wherein as claim 2 I claim a sandal or shoe system where an allotted space has hook fastening means that allows for an attachable upper or cover member.
14. Wherein as claim 1, I claim a shoe, boot, or sandal system where at least one extra component is included that changes the original look of the foundation.
15. Wherein as claim 1 and 2, I claim a shoe system that may have at least one depression or allotted space on the foundation that allows for attachable components to be affixed in that area.
16. Wherein as claim 2, a sandal system that allows for changeable covers for straps that appear to be jewelry.
17. Wherein as claim 1 and 2 I claim a cover system that allows you to change a casual shoe into a dressy shoe.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 27, 2009
Publication Date: Jul 29, 2010
Inventor: Sandra D. Garza (West Chicago, IL)
Application Number: 12/322,014
International Classification: A43B 3/24 (20060101); A43B 23/00 (20060101); A43B 3/12 (20060101);