EXTERIOR SHOE ATTACHMENT AND METHOD OF USE THEREOF
A footwear system including a first footwear article configured to accept a user's foot, the first footwear article having a body and a sole attached to the body, the sole having a flange member extending past the body forming a wing, and a second footwear article, the second footwear article comprising a sole having a raised ridge portion and a raised heel portion, the raised ridge portion and the raised heal portion forming a cavity configured to accept the wing of the first footwear article, wherein the second footwear article is configured to be detachably attached to the first footwear article.
This application is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/191,940, filed Nov. 15, 2018, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 62/586,804 filed Nov. 15, 2017, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to a footwear system including removable shoe attachment and the application thereof. The shoe attachment allows for but is not limited to added traction, support, protection, shock absorption, variability in color, shape and style of the primary shoe, etc.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONCurrent shoes on the market are designed for a very specific purpose. For instance, a hiking sneaker has deep ridges and a heel break to provide extra traction on rough terrane preventing slipping and injuring one's self, but this shoe is limited to this use and would aesthetically look strange if one wore hiking sneakers to other events and activities. Another example of current shoes are soccer cleats having studs coming out of the sole to give the wearer support and leverage in their attempts on the field, but similarly this shoe is limited to its designated activity, namely soccer and sports activities on a grass or artificial grass surface.
This trend is very limiting on consumers. A consumer may see a particular pair of shoes that they find is their preferred style and comfort, however is limited to a use they don't partake in very often, causing them to shy away from utilizing their preferred footwear. Furthermore, from a minimalist standpoint, a consumer may find that accumulating a large number of footwear is not only non-economical but also takes up more space than they can reasonably allot for footwear, preventing them from pursuing such activities associated with the footwear.
Yet further, a person lounging at home tends to wear more comfortable shoes such as slippers and may feel the need to go outside, whether to take out the trash or join a basketball game. This person would need to go find their outdoor shoes or basketball shoes, remove their slippers, painstakingly put on their alternate shoes, lace or secure the shoes in their respective manner and then finally be able to go out and do what they set out to do.
These solutions have failed the public, taking up space and wasting time the public can use for other more important aspects of life. It is desired to provide a dynamic system and method that solves the disadvantages in the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAccordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a system and method of and for a shoe and a corresponding attachable outsole or insert, where the shoe's sole fits into a supplemental exterior sole, the supplemental exterior sole having an internal cavity that fits and corresponds to the exterior shape of the shoe's sole's dimensions.
It is further an object of the present invention to provide a shoe attachment that provides for selective attributes useful in varying situations alleviating the need for multiple pairs of shoes having different purposes and base styles.
It is further an object of the present invention to provide a base shoe that can attach to a corresponding attachment as well as additional attachments varying in form and function.
It is further an object of the present invention to provide a system for altering characteristics of a shoe by using an attachable sole.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a footwear system having a removable insert to attach to existing shoes.
These and other objects of the invention are achieved by providing: a footwear system, comprising: a first footwear article configured to accept a user's foot, the first footwear article having a body and a sole attached to the body, the sole having a flange member extending past the body forming a wing; and a second footwear article, the second footwear article comprising a sole having a raised ridge portion and a raised heel portion, the raised ridge portion and the raised heal portion forming a cavity configured to accept the wing of the first footwear article, wherein the second footwear article is configured to be detachably attached to the first footwear article.
In certain embodiments, the first footwear article and the second footwear article form an interlocking engagement for use by a user.
In certain embodiments, the wing compresses and interacts with the raised ridge portion and the raised heel portion to form the interlocking engagement between the first footwear article and the second footwear article.
In certain embodiments, the wing is comprised of material that compresses when force is applied to the wing, and expands when the force is removed.
In certain embodiments, the wing includes a flange that is proportional to the cavity in the second footwear article. In certain embodiments, the wing is continuous and is configured to match various cavities for various second footwear articles.
In certain embodiments, the wing extends around the entire edge of the first footwear article.
In certain embodiments, the sole of the first footwear article is flexible. In certain embodiments, the wing is flexible, and is configured to flex to interlock with the cavity of the second footwear article.
In certain embodiments, the interlocking portion includes interlocking approximately 180 degrees of the first footwear article to the second footwear article.
In certain embodiments, the raised ridge portion of the second footwear article is comprised of a material that expands to accept the wing, and contracts to support an interlocking engagement between the first footwear article and the second footwear article.
In certain embodiments, the raised ridge portion and the raised heel portion form a continuous singular pocket beginning on sides of the second footwear article and extending toward the raised heel portion, wherein the continuous singular pocket is designed to accept the emergence of a proportional counterpart comprising the wing of the first footwear article.
In certain embodiments, the raised ridge portion and the raised heel portion form a continuous singular pocket beginning on sides of the second footwear article and extending toward the raised heel portion, and further extending toward a medial wall, wherein the continuous singular pocket is designed to accept the emergence of a proportional counterpart comprising the wing of the first footwear article.
In certain embodiments, wherein following contact between the first footwear article and second footwear article, the first footwear wing slightly contracts while entering the cavity of the second footwear article, and then expands filling a pocket along the raised ridge and the cavity.
In certain embodiments, the first footwear article and the second footwear article are resistant against accidental disengagement.
In certain embodiments, the attachment and detachment of the first footwear article to or from the second footwear article is pressure activated.
In certain embodiments, the second footwear article includes an outer member, the outer member configured to hide the raised ridge and raised heel portion. In certain embodiments, the outer member is designed with an aesthetic embellishment.
In certain embodiments, detaching the second footwear article from the first footwear article is accomplished by applying pressure to the heel with a user's opposing foot and unlocking the attachment between the articles.
In certain embodiments, the wing extends around the sole's lateral edge and heel.
In certain embodiments, the first footwear article is selected from a group consisting of a shoe, slipper, sandal, boot, trainer, cleat, golf shoe, soccer shoe, or a combination thereof.
In certain embodiments, the second footwear article includes an outsole. In certain embodiments, the outsole is rigid. In certain embodiments, the remainder of the second footwear article is flexible.
In certain embodiments, the body of the first footwear article is made of a flexible material. In certain embodiments, the body of the first footwear article is a slipper material.
In certain embodiments, the first footwear article includes an inner liner or material that provides comfort and warmth to the foot of a user.
In certain embodiments, the second footwear article expands and contracts to accept the wing of the first footwear article to assist with attaching the second footwear article to the first footwear article.
In certain embodiments, the second footwear article provides a layer of protection over the first footwear article.
In certain embodiments, the second footwear article further comprises a toe cap.
In certain embodiments, the toe cap provides additional toe injury protection for the wearer.
In certain embodiments, the second footwear article further comprises a strap substantially along a throat line to provide an additional support in securing the second footwear article to the first footwear article. In certain embodiments, the strap has locking members to provide an upper support for the first footwear article to lock into the second footwear article.
In certain embodiments, the second footwear article acts as a shock absorber.
In certain embodiments, the second footwear article provides superior traction compared to the sole of the first footwear article.
In certain embodiments, the first footwear article is selected from a group consisting of a slip on, laced, straps with buckles, zippers, elastic, buttons, snaps, hook and loop connector, straps that interlock eyelets onto indentations, or a combination thereof.
In certain embodiments, the first footwear article and second footwear article have textures or finishes selected from a group consisting of light sandblast, medium sandblast, grain texture, smooth, or a combination thereof.
In certain embodiments, second footwear article material is selected from a group consisting of leather, plastic, foam, fabric, textile, metal, rubber, synthetic, polyurethane, Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a polymer, or a combination thereof.
In certain embodiments, the footwear system includes ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA). In certain embodiments, the footwear system includes poly (ethylene-vinyl acetate) (PEVA). In certain embodiments, the footwear system includes rubber and other copolymer materials.
In certain embodiments, the second footwear article is made of EVA In certain embodiments, the first footwear article is made of EVA
In certain embodiments, the outsole material is selected from a group consisting of wear-resistant, water-resistant, oil-resistant, heat-resistant, pressure resistant, impact resistant, elastic, not easily deformed after shaping, or a combination thereof.
In certain embodiments, the second footwear article outsole design is selected from a group consisting of a herringbone pattern, lugs, a heel break, cleats, studs, or a combination thereof.
Other objects of the invention are achieved by providing a method for attaching the first footwear article to the second footwear article, comprising: inserting a toe portion of the first footwear article into a toe cap of the second footwear article; and exerting downward force using at most a user's bodyweight to apply pressure near the heel of the first footwear article to insert the wing into the second footwear article.
Other objects of the invention are achieved by providing a method for removing the second footwear article from the first footwear article, comprising: applying pressure near the heel with a user's opposite foot; and unlocking the attachment and releasing the second footwear article.
Other objects of the invention are directed to providing a modular footwear system whereby a first footwear article is configured to attach to a second footwear article.
In certain embodiments, the second footwear article is configured to attach to the first footwear article and a user can configure the second footwear article to the task being performed.
Other objects of the invention and its particular features and advantages will become more apparent from consideration of the following drawings and accompanying detailed description. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
In the following description, numerous details are set forth for the purpose of explanation. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will realize that the invention may be practiced without the use of these specific details.
The invention is directed to a footwear system having a first footwear article and a second footwear article, whereby the first footwear article is configured to be attached to the second footwear article.
Referring to the figures,
It is noted that the inner sole and/or the sole attachment can be designed to expand and/or contract to accommodate assembling the components of the system and for disassembling the system. For instance, the inner sole may contract to accommodate passage into the cavity as to pass the ridges that would later support the connection between the components and then the inner sole expands to its original shape and size to fill the cavity and pockets so as to provide a secure fit. Alternatively, the sole attachment may expand to allow for the inner sole to enter its cavity and then contract back to its original shape and size to provide a secure fit. It should be noted that a combination of both can be utilized depending on the design of the system.
Having thus described several embodiments for practicing the inventive method, its advantages and objectives can be easily understood. Variations from the description above may and can be made by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.
Accordingly, this invention is not to be limited by the embodiments as described, which are given by way of example only and not by way of limitation.
Claims
1. A footwear system, comprising:
- a first footwear article configured to accept a user's foot, the first footwear article having a body and a sole attached to the body, the body having a toe section attached to the sole at a front end of the first footwear article, the sole having a flange member extending past the body forming a wing, wherein the toe section and the wing have an exterior shape matching an interior space of a second footwear article; and
- the second footwear article comprising a sole having a toe cap extending on top of and over the toe section of the body, the toe cap having internal dimensions forming a corresponding fit to external dimensions of the toe section of the body, the sole having a raised ridge portion and a raised heel portion, the raised ridge portion and the raised heel portion forming a cavity configured to accept the wing of the first footwear article, the cavity having internal dimensions forming a corresponding fit to external dimensions of the wing of the first footwear article, wherein the second footwear article is configured to be detachably attached to the first footwear article, and wherein each of the first and second footwear articles is purposely fit for the other.
2. The footwear system of claim 1, wherein the first footwear article and the second footwear article form an interlocking engagement for use by a user.
3. The footwear system of claim 1, wherein the wing compresses and interacts with the raised ridge portion and the raised heel portion to form the interlocking engagement between the first footwear article and the second footwear article.
4. The footwear system of claim 1, wherein the wing is comprised of material that compresses when force is applied to the wing, and expands when the force is removed.
5. The footwear system of claim 1, wherein the raised ridge portion of the second footwear article is comprised of a material that expands to accept the wing, and contracts to support an interlocking engagement between the first footwear article and the second footwear article, and wherein the toe section of the first footwear article forms a corresponding fit with the toe cap of the second footwear article without forming an interlocking engagement therebetween.
6. The footwear system of claim 1, wherein the raised ridge portion and the raised heel portion form a continuous singular pocket beginning on a lateral edge of the second footwear article and extending toward the raised heel portion, wherein the continuous singular pocket is designed to accept the wing of the first footwear article.
7. The footwear system of claim 1, wherein the raised ridge portion and the raised heel portion form a continuous singular pocket beginning on a lateral edge of the second footwear article, extending around the raised heel portion, and ending on a medial edge of the second footwear article, wherein the continuous singular pocket is designed to accept the wing of the first footwear article.
8. The footwear system of claim 7, wherein the second footwear article further comprises a lateral pocket, the lateral pocket having internal dimensions corresponding to external dimensions of a lateral portion of the wing.
9. The footwear system of claim 1, wherein following contact between the first footwear article and second footwear article, the wing of the first footwear article contracts while entering the cavity of the second footwear article, and then expands filling the cavity.
10. The footwear system of claim 1, wherein the attachment and detachment of the first footwear article to or from the second footwear article is pressure activated.
11. The footwear system of claim 1, wherein detaching the second footwear article from the first footwear article is accomplished by applying pressure to the raised heel portion with a user's opposing foot and unlocking an attachment between the first and second footwear articles.
12. The footwear system of claim 1, wherein the wing extends around the sole's lateral edge and heel.
13. The footwear of claim 1, wherein the first footwear article is selected from a group consisting of a shoe, slipper, sandal, boot, trainer, cleat, golf shoe, soccer shoe, or a combination thereof.
14. The footwear of claim 1, wherein the second footwear article expands and contracts to accept the wing of the first footwear article to assist with attaching the second footwear article to the first footwear article.
15. The footwear system of claim 1, wherein the second footwear article further comprises a strap substantially along a throat line to provide an additional support in securing the second footwear article to the first footwear article.
16. The footwear system of claim 1, wherein the second footwear article acts as a shock absorber and provides superior traction compared to the sole of the first footwear article.
17. A method for attaching a first footwear article to a second footwear article, the method comprising:
- providing the first footwear article and the second footwear article of claim 1;
- inserting the toe section of the first footwear article into the toe cap of the second footwear article; and
- exerting downward force to apply pressure to the wing of the first footwear article to insert the wing of the first footwear article into the cavity of the second footwear article, a lateral portion of the wing interlocking with a lateral pocket of the second footwear article, a heel portion of the wing interlocking with a heel pocket of the second footwear article, and a medial portion of the wing interlocking with a medial pocket of the second footwear article.
18. A method for removing a first footwear article from a second footwear article, the method comprising:
- providing the first footwear article and the second footwear article of claim 1;
- applying pressure near a heel of the first footwear article with a user's opposite foot; and
- unlocking an attachment and releasing the second footwear article from the first footwear article, a lateral portion of the wing unlocking from a lateral pocket of the second footwear article, a heel portion of the wing unlocking from a heel pocket of the second footwear article, and a medial portion of the wing unlocking from a medial pocket of the second footwear article.
19. The footwear system of claim 1, wherein the wing extends to the front end of the first footwear article.
20. The footwear system of claim 1, wherein a bottom portion of the sole of the second footwear article increases in thickness spanning from a toe section of the second footwear article to a heel section of the second footwear article, wherein the raised ridge portion and the raised heel portion form a continuous singular pocket beginning on a lateral edge of the second footwear article, extending around the raised heel portion, and ending on a medial edge of the second footwear article, wherein the continuous singular pocket is designed to accept the wing of the first footwear article, and wherein the second footwear article further comprises a lateral pocket, the lateral pocket having internal dimensions corresponding to external dimensions of a lateral portion of the wing.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 28, 2020
Publication Date: Feb 18, 2021
Inventors: Eric Joseph CRUZ (Woodridge, NJ), Ryan Matthew CRUZ (Woodridge, NJ), Kevin Darryl ZAMORA (Carlstadt, NJ)
Application Number: 17/082,652