SHOE WITH MULTIPLE SELECTABLE VAMPS
In accordance with the invention, a shoe for supporting and protecting the heel, sole and toes of a human foot has a base comprising a forward portion terminating at a toe end. The forward portion being configured and dimensioned to support the sole and toes of the foot of a user. The rear portion terminates at a heel end. The rear portion is configured and dimensioned to support the fleshy undersurface of the heel of the foot of the user. The shoe comprises a pair of elongated channels defined in the forward portion of the base, a vamp configured to overlie the instep of the user, and a pair of elongated channel-engaging members secured to the vamp, each of the channel engaging members being configured to slide into and mate with a respective elongated channel.
The invention relates to a shoe which allows the user to customize the look of the same by removing and replacing the vamps of various style, decoration, color, material and so forth.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS(Not applicable)
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT(Not applicable)
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONToday, increasingly high standards for physical appearance in terms of style, clothing and the like have increased the need for a person to dress in a coordinated and stylish fashion. Thus, a person may require a great number of different types of various clothing. In the case of shoes, the possibilities for selection are relatively large, in so far as materials may range from conventional leather to fabric and plastic. Moreover, these materials make possible shoes in a wide range of color. Because they are small and thus serve to highlight a particular look, shoes may be worn in relatively bright and outlandish styles, such as shiny patent leather and synthetic finishes, bright colors such as red, and more exotic finishes such as jewels. While, in principle, such a range of personal expression may be found in other garments such as jackets and dresses, the same is much more common in the case of shoes.
Accordingly, it one wishes to dress in a fashionable and attractive manner, one may be required to have shoes having a great range of color, finish and materials.
As expensive and challenging as this may be, the problem is multiplied in the case of travel, where multiple shoes may present a relatively large burden during transport, for example in travel to and from the airports, and perhaps more seriously during onboard storage, which is favored by many travelers today who recognize the value of traveling light.
However, traveling light is almost not an option if one wishes to have in one's disposal, during travel, for example business travel, a reasonable range of shoes. In addition to the inconvenience and weight of multiple pairs of shoes, the traveler must also deal with very serious space limitations imposed on carry-on luggage.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn accordance with the invention, a shoe is provided which is of relatively lightweight and compact construction, while at the same time capable of exhibiting various appearances. The inventive shoe is also advantageous for reasons of its economy, sturdy construction and convenience.
In accordance with the invention, a shoe for supporting and protecting the heel, sole and toes of a human foot has a base comprising a forward portion terminating at a toe end. The forward portion being configured and dimensioned to support the sole and toes of the foot of a user. The rear portion terminates at a heel end. The rear portion is configured and dimensioned to support the fleshy undersurface of the heel of the foot of the user. The shoe comprises a pair of elongated channels defined in the forward portion of the base, a vamp configured to overlie the instep of the user, and a pair of elongated channel-engaging members secured to the vamp, each of the channel engaging members being configured to slide into and mate with a respective elongated channel.
The shoe further comprises an enclosed back part or counter that is secured to the rear portion of the base to fully contain and support the ankle of a human foot. A heel is secured to the rear portion of the base adjacent to the heel end and a top lift secured to the heel.
The base comprises a flexible base member or a plastic or rubber-like base member defining the heel end and the toe end, and a support plate secured to the forward portion of the base defining a left support plate side and a right support plate side. The support plate comprises a metal, with the left support plate side being configured to define a curled edge. This curled edge forms an elongated channel.
Alternatively, the support plate comprises a metal, with two slits open at the forward portion each having a closed end at the rear portion. The base having circular, elongated channels open at the forward portion and closed at the rear portion. These slits and circular, elongated channels accommodate the channel-engaging members secured to the vamp.
A third embodiment of the support plate would comprise a metal with two elongated channels having a circular opening at the forward portion. The base having circular, elongated channels under the two elongated channels of the support plate. The channels accommodating the channel-engaging members.
The elongated channel-engaging member is stitched to the vamp. The vamp comprises a flexible member having a forward edge, a rear edge, a left side edge and a right side edge. The elongated channel-engaging members comprise a pair of ball chains each being secured to the side edges.
An insole is mounted on top of the support plate to provide cushioning for the foot and also acting as a shock absorber against the forward moving motion of the person wearing the shoe.
The vamp may be made of materials such as leather, fabric or plastic that can accommodate the channel-engaging member.
A strap is attached to the counter to securely hold the ankle of a human foot and provide further stability to counter against forces associated with walking or other similar activities.
The structure and use of the inventive shoe will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:
Referring to
The mechanism with which the front section 12 is held in place may be understood with reference to
Ball and chain structure 14 comprises balls 19 and links 21 in the manner of a conventional ball chain used in a variety of applications such as lamp pulls, keychains and the like. Ball and chain structure 14 may be made of steel or any suitable material. Ball and chain structure 14 is secured to bottom edge 17 of vamp 12 by stitching with a thread 23. Ball and chain structure 14 is secured to the sole of the shoe by sliding into a channel 16 that is positioned alongside the edges of the front portion or vamp 12 of shoe 10.
Channel 16 is formed with in a support plate 30. Support plate 30 is secured to the forward portion of base 28 which forms outsole 18, using glue or any other suitable technique, such as stitching through holes provided in plate 30. Support plate 30 may be made up metal or any suitable material. Channel 16 is defined and support plate 30 by the curled left and right edges 31 and 33 of support plate 30. Channel 16 is configured and dimensioned to slidingly receive ball and chain structure 14, and to retain ball and chain structure 14 in place even when it is subjected to relatively strong upward forces, for example those forces associated with walking or other activity. The retention of front section 12 in place is achieved with the help of frictional force. Such force 3 is present because ball and chain structure 14 is snugly received in channel 16 and frictionally engaged by channel 16.
Channel 16 is designed to keep the ball and chain in place so that the front section 12 stays in place with the help of the frictional force. Channel 16 is configured as a groove. The gripping action can be improved by making plate 30 of a spring material, such as spring steel and configuring it slightly smaller than the diameter of balls 19.
The bottom sole or outsole 18, which comes in direct contact with the ground during walking, is preferably made up of either rubber or leather or other material selected for its long wearing characteristic and weatherproofness.
The enclosed back or counter 20 at the end of the shoe supports the heel of the foot of the user and can be made of, for example, plastic, leather or fabric to accommodate the overall design of the shoe. A heel support 22 is positioned underneath the back end 23 of the inventive shoe 10 to serve its typical function of elevating the height of the user. The height of the heel support structure 22 can be selected from a range of heights, for example high, medium and as required to meet the needs or desires of a particular user. The heel structure 22 is usually made of plastic or wood with a bottom tip or top lift 24 that is usually made of rubber, or other long wearing and/or shock absorbing material.
An insole 26 is placed upon plate 30 (
Referring to
When it is desired to use the inventive shoe 10, the wearer takes in hand the base comprising base structure 28 (sometimes referred to as the shoe last), which provides the anatomical support for the foot, together with plate 30, insole 26 and heel 22 secured to it. Because base structure 28 is made of wood or high density plastic, it is relatively rigid. This allows the user to grasp the vamp 12 and feed ball chain 14, starting with ball 19a, into left channel 16, sliding the balls one after another into the channel. Simultaneously, the balls 19 on the right side of vamp 12 are advanced and to right channel 16. The two ball chains of those slid into their respective channels, where they are secured on account of being grasped by channels 16. The shoe may then be put on the foot in conventional fashion and will be retained there during walking, sitting and so forth.
Also in contrast to the metal plate 30 of the Figure one embodiment, intake grooves 132 (
As shown in
Turning to
A selectable vamp 222 is secured by threads 224 to support 220. This allows different vamps 222 (for example in different materials, colors and decorations) to be carried by the user, for example in the user's carry-on baggage onto an airplane with a minimal amount of weight and volume.
Turning to
The conventional buckle 369 comprises a frame 370, a bar 372, and a prong 374 attached to bar 372. A loop 376 is also attached to strap 360 to secure the loose end of strap 362. Strap 362 has holes 378 which enable adjustment of the length of strap 362. Strap 362 runs through loop 321 at the top of counter 320 to the opposite side of the shoe where strap 362 attaches permanently to vamp 312.
In use, a user feeds strap 362 through a loop 321 at the top of counter 320 and then through frame 370. The user then pulls strap 362 to a desired length. Once the desired length is reached, the user secures strap 362 by placing prong 374 through the appropriate hole 378. The user then feeds the excess of strap 362 through loop 376 to secure the loose end of strap 362.
Turning to
In use, a user feeds the channel-engaging members 424 into circular openings 414 continuing into the elongated circular channel of base 412 until all channel-engaging members 424 are engaged.
Alternatively, support plate 512 may have depressed portions 528, which have top surfaces positioned substantially level with the bottom of channels 516, allowing the user to feed a channel engaging member through the front of the shoe in the same manner as the embodiment of
In use, a user feeds the channel-engaging members into circular opening 514 and thus elongated channels 516, 522. User continues to slide the channel-engaging members to the back of elongated channels 516,522; thus securing the vamp in place.
This provides an added degree of security and can be incorporated into a wide variety of shoes, such as running shoes and the like. While illustrative embodiments of the invention have been described, it is noted that various modifications will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the above description and drawings. Such modifications are within the scope of the invention which is limited and defined only by the following claims.
Claims
1. A shoe for supporting and protecting the heel, sole and toes of a human foot, comprising:
- a) a base comprising: (i) a forward portion terminating at a toe end, said forward portion being configured and dimensioned to support the sole and toes of the foot of a user, and (ii) a rear portion terminating at a heel end, said rear portion being configured and dimensioned to support the fleshy undersurface of the heel of the foot of the user;
- (b) a pair of elongated channels defined in said forward portion of said base;
- (c) a vamp configured to overlie the instep of the user;
- (d) a pair of elongated channel-engaging members secured to said vamp, each of said channel engaging members being configured to slide into and mate with a respective one of said elongated channels.
2. A shoe as in claim 1, further comprising an enclosed back part or counter that is secured to the rear portion of said base to fully contain and support the ankle of a human foot.
3. A shoe as in claim 1, further comprising a heel secured to the rear portion of said base adjacent said heel end.
4. A shoe as in claim 2, further comprising a top lift secured to the said heel.
5. A shoe as in claim 1, wherein said base comprises a plastic or rubber-like base member, said base member defining said heel end and said toe end, and wherein said forward portion of said base is configured to define said elongated channel.
6. A shoe as in claim 1, wherein said base comprises a flexible base member defining said heel end and said toe end, and a support plate secured to said forward portion of said base, said support plate defining a left support plate side and a right support plate side, said support plate comprising metal, said left support plate side being configured to define a curled edge, said curled edge forming said elongated channel, and said left support plate side being configured to define a curled edge, said curled edge forming said elongated channel.
7. A shoe as in claim 5, wherein said elongated channel-engaging member is stitched to said vamp.
8. A shoe as in claim 1, wherein said vamp comprises a flexible member having a forward edge, a rear edge, a left side edge and a right side edge, said elongated channel-engaging members being secured to said side edges.
9. A shoe as in claim 7, wherein said elongated channel-engaging members comprise a pair of ball chains, each secured to one of said side edges.
10. A shoe as in claim 8, wherein said base comprises a flexible base member defining said heel end and said toe end, and a support plate secured to said forward portion of said base, said support plate defining a left support plate side and a right support plate side, said support plate comprising metal, said left support plate side being configured to define a curled edge, said curled edge forming said elongated channel, and said left support plate side being configured to define a curled edge, said curled edge forming said elongated channel.
11. A shoe as in claim 8, wherein the said support plate comprises a left support plate side and a right support plate side, said plate being secured to said base, said elongated channel engaging being a ball chains, each of said ball chains secured to one of said side edges.
12. A shoe as in claim 1, wherein an insole is mounted on top of the support plate to provide cushioning for the foot and also acting as a shock absorber against the forward moving motion of the person wearing the shoe.
13. A shoe as in claim 7, wherein said vamp may be made of materials such as leather, fabric or plastic that can accommodate said channel-engaging member.
14. A shoe as in claim 2, wherein a strap is attached to the said counter to securely hold the ankle of a human foot and provide further stability to counter against forces associated with walking or other similar activities.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 6, 2011
Publication Date: Jun 6, 2013
Inventor: Albert Chaiken (New York, NY)
Application Number: 13/312,878