Footwear with interchangeable member

Abstract

The present disclosure provides an item of footwear with removable modular sole member that allow customization of the footwear with respect to traction, cushioning, support, fit, performance and/or aesthetic functions and features. It is an object of the present invention to provide a footwear which can be customized to be utilized for varying conditions and/or occasions. Another object of the invention is to provide a footwear with relatively simple means for quickly and firmly securing an interchangeable sole with effective elements which do not adversely affect the appearance or comfort of the footwear.

Description

FIELD OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to an item of footwear and, more particularly, to a modular convertible footwear with interchangeable or replaceable sole member that allows for customization thereof.

BACKGROUND

Typically, a footwear, like a shoe, includes an upper part, a platform and a sole; while other features such as a lining, a tongue and an inner sole may also be present. Typically, the sole is fixed (generally, glued) with the underside of the platform. The platform provides the main support for the bottom of the foot, and the sole function to protect the underside of the platform from wear. Often, the soles of a pair of shoes become worn out before the upper part and the platform of the shoe. That is, the upper part and the platform of the shoes may still be in relatively new and/or good condition, while the soles of the shoes may have worn out. This may cause the shoes to become uncomfortable and/or bad for the joints of the person wearing the shoe.

Most shoes available in today's marketplace are constructed using the so-called Strobel method which produces ample flex, and allows a sock-like feel by using a cloth connection to stitch the upper (the portion of the shoe that wraps the foot) to the midsole (the section that contains the cushioning). The traction-containing outsole is then cemented or glued onto the midsole. Shoes constructed using the Strobel method, in particular athletic shoes, are prone to failure, or blowouts, where the upper connects to the midsole. One such highly publicized blowout occurred during a high-profile NCAA basketball matchup between Duke and North Carolina on Feb. 20, 2019. Thirty-three seconds into the game, Duke freshman Zion Williamson, who is six feet seven inches tall and weighed 284 pounds, planted his left foot to make a move to the basket when the upper ripped away from the midsole on his left shoe.

Furthermore, some persons (for example, athletes) may be required to wear shoes with different types of soles for different occasions/purposes. For example, for a sport, such as soccer, the game may be played on natural grass, various kinds of artificial grass or rugs, and various kinds of soil. In order for the athlete to achieve athletic performances on varying field conditions, the shoe soles should have a tread best suited to the particular field surface and the condition thereof at the time of use. However, stylistic aspects of footwear are traditionally determined at the point of manufacture, the user's only option when selecting a different style or appearance being to select one pair of shoes in preference to another. Therefore, in such case, an individual athlete may be required to own each type of shoes, which may turn out to be an expensive proposition.

Some shoes having interchangeable soles are known in the art but had not met with commercial acceptance because of the complex and impractical nature thereof. Generally, conventional replaceable soled shoes do not allow for easy release and attachment, and typically do not provide good stability on the shoe.

Accordingly, there is a desire for shoes with easily interchangeable soles that avoid the above described and other related problems. There is also a need and a desire for a new method of constructing footwear that is not subject to the weaknesses and blowouts common with shoes assembled using the Strobel method.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides an item of footwear with removable modular sole member that allow customization of the footwear with respect to traction, cushioning, support, fit, performance and/or aesthetic functions and features. It is an object of the present invention to provide a footwear which can be customized to be utilized for varying conditions and/or occasions. Another object of the invention is to provide a footwear with relatively simple means for quickly and firmly securing an interchangeable sole with effective elements which do not adversely affect the appearance or comfort of the footwear.

The footwear of the present disclosure includes a main body. Herein, the main body includes an upper portion and a base portion. The base portion is provided with multiple openings. The openings are sized and spaced in a predefined manner. The present footwear further includes a sole member complementary to shape of the base portion of the main body. The sole member generally has a flat surface on one side and protrusions extending from other side thereof. The protrusions are sized and spaced conforming to the size and spacing between the openings provided in the base portion of the main body. The sole member is adapted to be inserted inside the main body, such that the protrusions in the sole member extend out through the openings in the base portion of the main body, to removably attach the sole member with the main body in the footwear.

In one or more embodiments, the footwear further includes a tongue member. The tongue member includes a tongue portion and a base portion flexibly coupled with each other. The base portion of the tongue member is complementary to the shape of the base portion of the main body. The base portion of the tongue member is further provided with openings, similar to the openings in the base portion of the main body. The tongue member is inserted into the main body such that the base portion thereof rests on the base portion of the main body and the openings in the base portion of the tongue member are aligned with the openings in the base portion of the main body with the protrusions in the sole member extending out through the openings in the base portion of the tongue member as well as the base portion of the main body. Herein, the tongue portion is adapted to be folded, with respect to the base portion in the tongue member, to be accommodated inside the main body.

In some embodiments, the main body includes a cover portion flexibly coupled to the upper portion thereof, and adapted to be folded over to cover the tongue portion of the tongue member when inserted in the main body.

In some embodiments, the cover portion includes a fastener and the upper portion includes a cooperating fastener such that when the cover portion is folded over, the fastener and the cooperating fastener engage with each other to secure the cover portion over the upper portion, in the main body.

In some embodiments, the upper portion of the main body is provided with eyelets for allowing laces to pass therethrough, for proper tying of the footwear over the foot of the user.

In some embodiments, the tongue member is provided with eyelets for allowing of laces to pass therethrough, for proper tying of the footwear over the foot of the user.

The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

For a more complete understanding of example embodiments of the present disclosure, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a diagrammatic perspective view of a footwear, in accordance with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates a diagrammatic top perspective view of a main body of the footwear of FIG. 1, in accordance with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates a diagrammatic bottom perspective view of the main body of FIG. 2, in accordance with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates a diagrammatic perspective view of a sole member of the footwear of FIG. 1, in accordance with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 5 illustrates a diagrammatic perspective view of a tongue member of the footwear of FIG. 1, in accordance with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 6A-6F illustrate diagrammatic views depicting various steps involved in assembling of the footwear of FIG. 1, in accordance with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not limited to these specific details.

Reference in this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. The appearance of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Further, the terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item. Moreover, various features are described which may be exhibited by some embodiments and not by others. Similarly, various requirements are described which may be requirements for some embodiments but not for other embodiments.

Numerous embodiments are described in the present application, and are presented for illustrative purposes only. The described embodiments are not, and are not intended to be, limiting in any sense. The presently disclosed invention(s) are widely applicable to numerous embodiments, as is readily apparent from the disclosure. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the disclosed invention(s) may be practiced with various modifications and alterations, such as structural and logical modifications. Although particular features of the disclosed invention(s) may be described with reference to one or more particular embodiments and/or drawings, it should be understood that such features are not limited to usage in the one or more particular embodiments or drawings with reference to which they are described, unless expressly specified otherwise.

Referring to FIG. 1, illustrated is diagrammatic view of a footwear (generally referred by the numeral 100), in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. In the illustration of FIG. 1, the footwear 100 is depicted to be in the form of a shoe; however, it will be appreciated that the footwear 100 may be any other form of outer covering for the feet, such as boot, sandals, etc. without departing from the spirit and the scope of the present disclosure. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the footwear 100 includes a main body 102 designed to fit the foot of a wearer. The footwear 100 also includes a sole member 104 removably attached to the bottom of the main body 102. In the present embodiments, a plurality of interchangeable removable sole members 104 can be selectively attached to the main body 102, in order to customize the footwear 100 for comfort and utilization. The sole member 104 can be suited for a specific activity or sport such as football, baseball, track, hiking, and golf or for general walking. In accordance with an important feature of the present disclosure, a plurality of removable sole members 104 may be provided, each of the sole members 104 having a different bottom configuration to allow for more customization options of the footwear 100 for the user.

Referring to FIGS. 2-3 in combination, as illustrated, the main body 102 includes an upper portion 106 and a base portion 108. The upper portion 106 imparts the main body 102 with the required shape and space for accommodating a foot of a user, such that the main body 102 appears similar to a traditional shoe. The upper portion 106 could be a complete enclosure that surrounds a foot or it could be a partial enclosure such as a set of sandal straps. The upper portion 106 can be fabricated from any conventional footwear material such as leather or canvas in sports, work shoe, dress shoe, and everyday shoe styles. As illustrated, the base portion 108 of the main body 102 is provided with multiple openings 110. Herein, the openings 110 are sized and spaced in a predefined pattern or manner. In the given illustration, the openings 110 are shown to be generally rectangular and are disposed in a predefined pattern. It may be contemplated that the openings 110 may have any other suitable shape and/or may be arranged in any other suitable pattern without any limitations.

Further, as illustrated better in FIG. 2, the main body 102 includes a cover portion 112. The cover portion 112 is flexibly coupled to the upper portion 106, in the main body 102. The cover portion 112 is shown to be generally rectangular in shape, but may have any other suitable shape based on the desired aesthetics of the footwear 100. Herein, the cover portion 112 is adapted to fold over the upper portion 106 of the main body 102. Also, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the cover portion 112 includes a fastener 114 provided along lower edge towards inner side thereof. Further, the upper portion 106 of the main body 102 may be provided with a cooperating fastener 116 such that when the cover portion 112 is folded over, the fastener 114 and the cooperating fastener 116 engage with each other to secure the cover portion 112 along a side of the upper portion 106, in the main body 102. In the present examples, the fastener 114 and the cooperating fastener 116 is shown to be in the form of hook and loop fasteners (Velcro); however, it may be appreciated that any form if suitable fasteners, such as zippers, hook and eye fastener, snap or poppers, and the like.

Also, as illustrated, the upper portion 106 of the main body 102 may be provided with eyelets 118 formed along front and upper lateral ends thereof. As may be seen, the eyelets 118 are generally distributed along the lateral edge of the upper portion 106. As may be contemplated, the eyelets 118 are in the form of apertures to allow for laces to pass therethrough, such that the laces could be tied up as desired, as may be required for snugly tying up and fitting the footwear 100 over the foot of the user.

Referring now to FIG. 4, as may be seen, the sole member 104 is designed to have a shape complementary to the base portion 108 of the main body 102. Generally, the sole member 104 is generally sized to fit within and substantially fill the interior of the main body 102. The sole member 104 may be a unitary structure (e.g., molded unit) or it may be composed of two or more subcomponents combined together as a single unit (e.g. by adhesives or fasteners). Herein, the sole members 104 can be fabricated from rubber, leather, or plastic, and can contain different bottom configurations such as cleats, spikes, ridges, and grooves or be flat. In one example, the sole member 104 may have a uniform thickness. In other examples, the thickness of the sole member 104 may vary, for example, the sole member 104 may have a heel portion that is raised to provide a boot heel or a central portion might be recessed to provide cushioning. In some examples, the sole member 104 may be provided with a heel (not shown) firmly attached to the rear part thereof or integrally formed therewith. Contemplated fabrication methods for the sole member 104 may include molding, injection molding, direct-injection molding, one-time molding, composite molding, insert molding, co-molding separate materials, or other techniques known in the art, alone or in combination.

In some examples, the upper surface of the sole member 104 may be coated, laminated or covered with an inner sole made generally of cushioning and soft materials. Further, in some examples, the sole member 104 may be provided with cushioning elements which may provide basic shock absorbing, energy return, and/or protective underfoot materials or structures that are intended to react to the forces of foot strike by providing force attenuation, dissipation, dampening, or energy return (spring), which are typically included on sports and athletic shoes. For example, the cushioning element may include a consistent and uniform layer of shock absorbing and protective material, such as EVA or polyurethane, placed in a shoe between the foot and the ground, or customized placements of varying cushioning materials and structures under a foot, or may be based on EVA or polyurethane foam, visco-elastomers of foam or gels, fluid filled bladders, mechanical springs or resiliently collapsible mechanical structures, fluid (e.g., air) springs, or any combination of the foregoing.

The sole member 104 generally has a flat surface on one side and protrusions 120 extending from other side thereof. As may be seen from FIG. 4, the protrusions 120 are sized and spaced complementary and conforming to the size and spacing between the openings 110 provided in the base portion 108 of the main body 102. As used herein, “to complement” or “complementary” means geometrically shaped and sized for snug interconnection, or a male or female part that is not so shaped and sized but has material properties such that it will conform to a male or female part to which it is being interconnected. As discussed, the sole member 104 is generally sized to fit within and substantially fill the interior of the main body 102. The sole member 104 is adapted to be inserted inside the main body 102, such that the protrusions 120 in the sole member 104 extend out through the openings 110 in the base portion 108 of the main body 102. This, in turn, engage and removably attach the sole member 104 with the main body 102 in the footwear 100. In some embodiments, the sole member 104 may be provided with a plurality of tongues extending outwardly from the flat surface of the sole member 104 and arrayed along an outer edge of the flat surface. The tongues are adapted to be disposed inside complimentary groves defined in the main body 102. Therefore, an engagement of the tongues and the grooves facilitates a positive engagement or coupling of the sole member 104 with the main body 102.

Referring back to FIG. 1, as illustrated, the footwear 100 also includes a tongue member 122. FIG. 5 illustrates a diagrammatic view of the tongue member 122, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. As illustrated, the tongue member 122 includes a tongue portion 124 and a base portion 126. The tongue portion 124 and the base portion 126 of the tongue member 122 are flexibly coupled with each other. Further, as may be seen, the base portion 126 of the tongue member 122 is complementary in shape to the shape of the base portion 108 of the main body 102. The base portion 126 of the tongue member 122 is provided with openings 128, similar to the openings 110 in the base portion 108 of the main body 102. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the tongue member 122 is provided with eyelets (not shown) to allow for laces to pass therethrough. It may be appreciated that the tongue member 122 protects the foot from the elements and/or protects a person's instep from fastening means which may be present above the tongue portion 124. The tongue member 122 usually runs along the instep up to the point where the person's shin meets the foot at or about the ankle line.

As may be contemplated, the tongue member 122 is inserted into the main body 102 such that the base portion 126 thereof rests on the base portion 108 of the main body 102 and the openings 128 in the base portion 126 of the tongue member 122 are aligned with the openings 110 in the base portion 108 of the main body 102. In such configuration, the protrusions 120 in the sole member 104 extend out through the openings 128 in the base portion 126 of the tongue member 122 as well as the openings 110 in the base portion 108 of the main body 102. Further, in such configuration, the tongue portion 124 is adapted to be folded with respect to the base portion 126 to be generally disposed at an angular position extending outwardly from the upper portion 106 of the main body 102, and to be generally accommodated inside the main body 102 (as better shown in FIG. 1).

FIGS. 6A-6F illustrate diagrammatic views depicting various steps involved in assembling of the footwear of FIG. 1, in accordance with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. Firstly, as illustrated in FIG. 6A, the tongue member 122 is inserted inside the upper portion 106 of the main body 102, such that the base portion 126 of the tongue member 122 rests on the base portion 108 of the main body 102. The tongue member 122 is inserted into the main body 102 such that the openings 128 in the base portion 126 of the tongue member 122 are aligned with the openings 110 in the base portion 106 of the main body 102. Further, as discussed, the tongue portion 124 of the tongue member 122 is adapted to be folded with respect to the base portion 126 to be generally disposed at an angular position extending outwardly from the upper portion 106 of the main body 102, and to be generally accommodated inside the main body 102

Thereafter, as illustrated in FIG. 6B, the sole member 104 is inserted into the main body 102. The sole member 104 is arranged such that the surface thereof having the protrusions 120 is resting on the base portion 126 of the tongue member 122, which, in turn, is resting on the base portion 106 of the main body 102. As may be seen from FIG. 6C, the protrusions 120 in the sole member 104 extend out through the openings 128 in the base portion 126 of the tongue member 122 and further through the openings 110 in the base portion 106 of the main body 102. This way the sole member 104 is removably attached with the main body 102 in the footwear 100. The engagement is sufficient to resist forces on the sole member 104 that arise during ordinary use of the footwear 100; however, the sole member 104 may be removed when additional pulling forces are applied to the sole member 104, for example by pulling a strap or the like (not shown) of the sole member 104 to remove the sole member 104 from the main body 102, for replacement thereof.

Subsequently, as illustrated in FIG. 6D, the tongue portion 124 is folded with respect to the base portion 126 in the tongue member 122, to be generally disposed at an angular position extending generally outwardly from the upper portion 106 of the main body 102, and to be generally accommodated inside the main body 102 (as shown). Further, as shown in FIG. 6E, laces 130 are passed through the eyelets 118 in the upper portion 106 of the main body 102, if required. Finally, as shown in FIG. 6F, the cover portion 112 is folded over to cover the tongue portion 124 of the tongue member 122, when the tongue member 122 is inserted in the main body 102. Herein, the fastener 114 of the tongue member 122 engages with the cooperating fastener 116 in the upper portion 106 of the main body 102, such that the cover portion 112 is secured in position to cover the tongue portion 124 of the tongue member 122 (as shown).

As discussed, the sole member 104 may have different bottom configurations to allow for more customization options of the footwear 100 for the user. The footwear 100 in accordance with the present invention have the economic benefit of allowing replacement of only the sole member 104 rather than the whole shoe when the sole member 104 is worn down or otherwise not desirable for use. The footwear 100 may come up with a single sole member 104 or a plurality of sole members 104 that are separated with different properties, e.g., varying traction, and the use of a specific sole member may be depend on the activity. Replaceable sole members 104 in accordance with the present invention may be utilized for multi-terrain shoes with different soles for different terrains; for example, trail, street and/or sidewalk, running track, treadmill, indoor court, outdoor court, grass, or any other terrain. These sole members 104 may be various types of soles, such as racing soles, training soles, and extra support soles. Use of separate sole members 104 allows for a user to customize the sole properties, e.g., to compensate for pronation or to provide more or less traction in different areas of the foot, for example, in forefoot, mid-foot and/or rear-foot locations.

The present footwear 100 is ideally suited for those wearers who participate in a number of different indoor and outdoor activities or sports, allowing the same uppers to be used with a number of different removable lower soles, thereby eliminating the need to purchase multiple pairs of expensive shoes. Footwear 100 of the present disclosure with interchangeable sole members 104 are particularly valuable for persons who desire variety in footwear and are limited by considerations of economy. One pair of main body 102 may be used with a number of interchangeable sole members 104, thereby affording a wide variety in footwear apparel at a cost of little more than the price of one or two pairs of conventional footwear. Footwear 100 with interchangeable sole members 104 are also desirable in instances where storage or packing space is at a premium. For example, during a journey a traveler may need pairs of shoes with different types of soles for performing varying activities (like, walking, hiking, running, etc.), which ordinarily would fill an entire suitcase. By carrying several pairs of flexible interchangeable sole members 104, substantial packing space may be saved, because the compressible interchangeable sole members 104 fit into a comparatively small area. The present footwear 100 allows the wearer to quickly and easily change the soles on his or her shoes to meet specific needs. Also, as the sole member 104 is disposed inside the main body 102, the sole member 104 cannot separate from the main body 102 during the use of the footwear 100.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present disclosure have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present disclosure to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The exemplary embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present disclosure and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present disclosure and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Claims

1. A shoe comprising: a sole member with a flat side and a side with a set of protrusions, wherein the set of protrusions are shaped and spaced to be complimentary to the size and space of the set of openings on the base portion the main body, and the sole member is sized to fit within and substantially fill the interior of the main body; and a tongue member, wherein, the tongue member comprises:

a main body with an upper portion and a base portion wherein, the base portion is provided with a set of Openings, and the upper portion imparts the required shape and space for accommodating the foot of the user such that the main body appears similar to a traditional shoe;

a base portion of the tongue member which is complimentary in shape to the protrusions of the sole member, and has a set of openings similar in shape and spacing to the set of openings in the base portion of the main body; and

a tongue portion of the tongue member which is flexibly coupled to the base portion of the tongue member and positioned such that the tongue portion runs along the instep to a position around the ankle line.

2. The shoe of claim 1, further wherein, the tongue member further comprises: a set of eyelets with a connection to the base portion and/or the tongue portion of the tongue member.

3. The shoe of claim 1 wherein, the set of openings in the base portion of the main body is formed in a grid of shaped openings.

4. The shoe of claim 1 wherein, the sole member may be provided with a plurality of tongues extending outwardly from the flat surface of the sole member and arrayed along an outer edge of the flat surface, the tongue portions are adapted to be disposed inside complimentary groves defined in the main body.

5. The shoe of claim 1 further wherein, the tongue portion of the tongue member is provided with eyelets and positioned to protect the instep of the wearer from fastening means and/or the elements.

6. The shoe of claim 1, wherein, the flat side of the sole member is covered with an inner sole made of the generally soft or cushioning materials of an athletic shoe.

7. The shoe of claim 1, wherein, the sole member is an interchangeable unit wherein, the unit can be removed from main body by the user and the sole member is provided with one or more features selected from:

uniform thickness from end to end;

thickness which varies from end to end;

a recessed central portion; and

a heel, wherein: the heel is securely attached; or formed as part of the sole member.

8. The shoe of claim 1, wherein, the sole member is provided with cushioning elements providing basic shock absorption, energy return, and/or protective underfoot structures or materials that are intended to react to the forces of foot strike, by providing force attenuation dissipation, dampening, or energy return.

9. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the main body further comprises a cover portion which is flexibly coupled to the upper portion on one side of the upper body folded over to the other side of the main body wherein, a fastener (114) is positioned to engage with a cooperating fastener (116) along the other side of the upper portion securing the upper portion to the cover at the fastener (114) and the cooperating fastener (116).

10. The Shoe of claim 9 wherein, the fastener (114) and the cooperating fastener (116) is selected from:

Hook and loop strips;

Zippers;

Hook and eye fastener;

Snaps or poppers fasteners.

11. The shoe of claim 9 wherein, a second tongue portion arranged around the outer edge of the flat surface of the sole member of 122 has a fastener (114) that engages with the cooperating fastener (116) in the upper portion of the main body, and further wherein, a set of eyelets with the tongue member allow for laces to pass therethrough, such that the laces could be tied up.

12. A shoe, comprising:

a main body with an upper portion and a base portion wherein, the base portion is provided with a set of openings, and the upper portion imparts the required shape and space for accommodating the foot of the user such that the main body appears similar to a traditional shoe;

a sole member with a flat side and a side with a set of protrusions, wherein the set of protrusions are shaped and spaced to be complimentary to the size and space of the set of openings on the base portion of the main body, and the sole member is sized to fit within and substantially fill the interior of the main body; and

a tongue member in-between the base portion of the main body and the sole member, wherein the tongue member further comprises: a base portion of the tongue member which is complimentary in shape to the protrusions of the sole member, and has a set of openings similar in shape and spacing to the set of openings in the base portion of the main body; and a tongue portion of the tongue member which is flexibly coupled to the base portion of the tongue member and positioned such that the tongue portion runs along the instep to a position around the ankle line.

13. The shoe of claim 12, wherein the sole member comprises: a racing sole; training soles; and extra support soles.

14. The shoe of claim 12, wherein the sole member comprises: a unitary structure;

or it may be composed of two or more subcomponents combined together as a single unit.

15. The shoe of claim 12, wherein the sole member is comprised of: rubber; leather; or plastic.

16. The shoe of claim 12, wherein the sole member is a unit fabricated from one or more methods selected from: molding; injection molding; direct-injection molding; one-time molding; composite molding; insert molding; co-molding separate materials.

17. A method of making a shoe, comprising:

constructing a main body with an upper portion and a base portion wherein, the base portion is provided with a set of openings, and the upper portion imparts the required shape and space for accommodating the foot of the user such that the main body appears similar to a traditional shoe;

constructing a sole member with a flat side and a side with a set of protrusions, wherein the set of protrusions are shaped and spaced to be complimentary to the size and space of the set of openings on the base portion of the main body, and the sole member is sized to fit within and substantially fill the interior of the main body; and

inserting the sole member into the main body, such that a surface with a set of protrusions is facing the base portion of the main body, and the set of protrusions in the sole member extend out through the openings in the base portion of the main body;

constructing a tongue member comprising: a base portion with a set of openings; and a tongue portion (124) that is flexibly coupled to the base portion of the tongue member;

inserting the tongue member inside the upper portion of the main body before the sole member such that the base portion of the tongue member rests on the base portion of the main body; and

aligning the tongue member such that a set of openings in the base portion of the tongue member match up with the set of openings in the base portion of the main body.

18. The method of making a shoe of claim 17, further comprising:

removing the sole member with additional pulling forces are applied to the sole member, by pulling a strap of the sole member or the tongue portion of the tongue member to remove the sole member from the main body, for replacement thereof.

19. The method of making a shoe of claim 18, further comprising:

Attaching a cover portion to the upper portion of the main body, wherein, a fastener is positioned on the other side of the cover portion;

folding it over to cover the tongue portion of the tongue member, when the tongue member is inserted in the main body,

engaging the fastener (114) of the tongue member with a cooperating fastener (116) in the upper portion of the main body, such that the cover portion is secured in position to cover the tongue portion of the tongue member.

20. The method of making a shoe of claim 19, further comprising:

Taking a second tongue portion of the tongue member with eyelets and folding it along the outside of the shoe.