SHOE MAKEOVER SYSTEM AND METHOD

Abstract

A changeable shoe can convert between various functions depending on the user's style or activity needs. The shoe can include a removable sole or heel that can change the shoe from a walking shoe to a cleated shoe for a particular activity, for example. The shoe can include a removable heel where a user can adjust between higher or lower length heels. The shoe can also include covers that can change the exterior of the shoe from, for example, a standard shoe, to a boot, to a laced up boot, and the like. The removable sole and/or heel can attach to the shoe base in various manners, such as with a hook and loop fastener, or with a locking pin and/or tab, or the like.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to methods and systems for changing shoes and, more particularly, to methods and systems for converting shoes to adapt them for use in various activities.

Typically, users have different shoes for different activities and uses. For example, athletic shoes may have different type cleats for different sports, or may have different soles for different activities. Women's shoes may be designed with or without heels and shoes may be available as a boot, with or without laces, in different lengths from over the ankle to knee high, and the like.

Purchasing new shoes, such as heels, dress shoes, athletic shoes boots, and the like, can be very expensive. Many times, users have to discard damaged and dingy shoes that have perfectly good soles and/or heels. Also, athletes often need to buy sporting cleats for every type of sport on every type of field and/or turf for that appropriate sport. Finally, when traveling, having to take a variety of shoes can take up space in baggage, which can be at a premium as people try to fit their travel needs into a carry-on bag.

Field conditions often change in sporting events, due to Mother Nature (rain, snow, loose turf and grass, and the like), therefore one must have an adaptable shoe or sole during sporting event. For example, longer cleat bottoms for snow and mud, but more rubbery soles for wet turf to soak up excess water when competing. In tennis, which can be played on dirt, grass or clay asphalt and conditions of those surfaces can change in later sets and games. There is currently no way to change the type of shoe without putting on a completely different pair of shoes. On professional basketball surfaces, for example, gym wood sweats with condensation later in the game. A slip by a player who turns the ball over can be the difference between an NBA championship, which can mean millions to billions in potential team franchise revenues. There is no way to quickly refresh one's shoes, again, without having to purchase, carry and change into a completely different/new pair of shoes.

As can be seen, there is a need for an improved system and method for interchanging shoe components to provide shoes of different styles and/or functions from a single base shoe.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a changeable shoe comprises a shoe bottom having an attachment/release mechanism; and a shoe sole operable to removably attach to the shoe bottom.

In another aspect of the present invention, a changeable shoe comprises a shoe; a cover adapted to fit about the shoe and operable to transform the shoe from a first style shoe to a second style shoe.

In a further aspect of the present invention, a changeable shoe comprises a shoe bottom having an area for attaching a shoe heel; and a shoe heel operable to removably attach to the shoe bottom.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a changeable shoe according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective exploded view of the changeable shoe of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective exploded view of the changeable shoe of FIG. 1, showing an alternate sole being applied thereto;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the changeable shoe of FIG. 3 with the alternate sole applied thereto;

FIG. 5 is a detailed cross-sectional view as taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 1, showing the sole in an attached state;

FIG. 6 is a detailed cross-sectional view as taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 1, showing the sole in a partially attached state, showing a “rip and peel” configuration of the sole;

FIG. 7 is a side view changeable shoe according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, where a sole release/lock button can be used to release and/or lock the sole in position on the shoe;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the changeable shoe of FIG. 7, showing the removal of the sole therefrom;

FIG. 9 is a side view of the changeable shoe of FIG. 7, showing an alternate sole being attached thereto;

FIG. 10 is a side view of the changeable shoe of FIG. 7, showing the alternate sole locked in position on the shoe;

FIG. 11 is a side view of a shoe lace cover for a shoe, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a side view of a shoe slip-on cover for a shoe, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a side exploded view of a shoe with a removable heel having a rip and peel configuration, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a side exploded view of a shoe with a locking removable heel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 15 is a side view of a shoe with an adjustable height heel, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a changeable shoe that can convert between various functions. The shoe can include a removable sole or heel that can change the shoe from a walking shoe to a cleated shoe for a particular activity, for example. The sole can be changed quickly and easily to match the current needs of the user. The shoe can include a removable heel where a user can adjust between higher or lower length heels. The shoe can also include covers that can change the exterior of the shoe from, for example, a standard shoe, to a boot, to a laced up boot, and the like. The removable sole and/or heel can attach to the shoe base in various manners, such as with a hook and loop fastener, or with a locking pin and/or tab, or the like.

Referring to FIG. 1, a changeable shoe 10 can include an initial sole 12 that can be taken off and replaced as desired. As shown in FIG. 2, the initial sole 12 can be removed by pulling on one or more tabs 16 extending from the initial sole 12 and pull the initial sole 12 off the hook and loop fastening material (such as loop material) 20 disposed on the bottom of the shoe 10.

As shown in FIG. 3, a secondary sole 14 can be placed on the shoe 10, resulting in a shoe having a different sole, as shown in FIG. 4. The secondary sole 14 can be, for example, a cleated sole for an athletic event, replacing the initial sole 10, which could be a regular, day-to-day use sole, for example.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the initial sole 12 can be attached with loop 20 and hook 22 fastening material, such as Velcro®. While FIGS. 5 and 6 show the loop material 20 on the shoe 10 and the loop material 22 on the sole 12, the reverse configuration may be possible. In some embodiments, the loop material 20 may be a soft loop material while the hook material 22 may be a hard hook material.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 through 10, a changeable shoe 10 can include a sole release/lock button 18 that can be depressed to unlock the initial sole 12, allowing it to be slid off, as shown in FIG. 8. The secondary sole 14 can then be slid in the initial sole's place, as shown in FIG. 9. The mechanism for sliding the sole on and off can be various mechanisms for removably attaching components together. For example, a slot can be provided in the shoe, where one or more tabs on the sole 12, 14 can be inserted and locked into the slot. Of course, other mechanisms can be used and are contemplated within the scope of the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, a female shoe 24 can be changed by various methods. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, a female shoe lace cover 26 can be disposed over the shoe 24 to provide a lace-up look. As shown in FIG. 12, a shoe slip-on cover 28 can be used to provide a tall boot look, for example. Other styles of covers may be used to create different looks, all with using the same shoe 24 as the base.

As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, instead of an entire sole of a shoe, in some embodiments of the present invention, a high heel shoe 30 can have a removable heel 32. The removable heel 32 can attach similar to the embodiments of the removable sole described above. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, the heel 32 can attach with hook material 22 and loop material 20. In other embodiments, a removable heel 34 can attach and be removed with a sole release/lock button 18. The heel 32, 34 can be different heights to change the heel size of the shoe easily, without requiring the user to own multiple pairs of heeled shoes. As shown in FIG. 15, an adjustable height heel 38 can be provided on the shoe 30. The adjustable height heel 38 can create multiple heights for the heel 38.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A changeable shoe comprising:

a shoe bottom having an attachment/release mechanism; and

a shoe sole operable to removably attach to the shoe bottom.

2. The changeable shoe of claim 1, wherein the shoe bottom has a hook or loop fastener material and the shoe sole has a corresponding, mating hook or loop fastener material.

3. The changeable shoe of claim 2, wherein the shoe bottom has a soft loop material and the shoe sole has a hard hook material.

4. The changeable shoe of claim 1, wherein the attachment/release mechanism is a sole release/lock button.

5. The changeable shoe of claim 1, wherein the shoe sole includes a shoe heel, wherein the shoe heel is removable attached to the shoe bottom.

6. A changeable shoe comprising:

a shoe;

a cover adapted to fit about the shoe and operable to transform the shoe from a first style shoe to a second style shoe.

7. The changeable shoe of claim 6, wherein the second style of shoe includes a lace-up shoe.

8. The changeable shoe of claim 6, wherein the second style of shoe includes a boot.

9. A changeable shoe comprising:

a shoe bottom having an area for attaching a shoe heel; and

a shoe heel operable to removably attach to the shoe bottom.

10. The changeable shoe of claim 9, wherein the shoe bottom has a hook or loop fastener material and the shoe heel has a corresponding, mating hook or loop fastener material.

11. The changeable shoe of claim 10, wherein the shoe bottom has a soft loop material and the shoe heel has a hard hook material.

12. The changeable shoe of claim 9, wherein the attachment/release mechanism is a sole release/lock button.