Patent Application
20240285021
This disclosure relates to a novel article of footwear. More particularly, the invention relates to an article of footwear that is comprised of at least three primary components that are separable and interchangeable such that the user may customize, clean, interchange, or replace any given component or components.
Conventional shoes are typically designed and constructed as a non-separable composite of materials. They are constructed using a variety of materials which may be glued, vulcanized, stitched, or otherwise held together. This method of construction is herein referred to as composite construction. The lifespan of a conventional shoe may be shortened due to a single point of failure, malfunction, or localized wear and tear. Single or multiple points of failure may render the shoe as a whole unusable.
For example, the bottom surface or bottom tread of a conventional shoe will wear down as the user uses the shoe. The tread may wear down to such a degree that the shoe is no longer functioning properly. In such a situation the user may be forced to replace the entire shoe because there is currently no feasible way to replace or repair the worn out area alone. In certain circumstances, some conventional shoes may be repaired, but it is not an obviously cost-effective solution for the user for most shoes being produced and worn today. Similarly, some sports such as skateboarding may cause a user's shoe to wear down in specific areas leaving the remainder of the shoe in functioning condition. If the shoe is of a composite construction the user may be forced to replace the entire shoe because there is not a simple way to repair or replace the worn out area.
Conventional composite shoes are also relatively costly and difficult to recycle. Constructing composite shoes involves adhering or attaching a variety of materials together using a variety of attachment techniques. Attachment techniques may involve threaded stitching, glues, adhesives, or other methods. When the user seeks to dispose of their used composite shoe, the option of recycling the shoes is not commonly available to them. Even though some of the composite shoe's materials may be made from recyclable materials, when they are assembled and adhered together into a composite shoe, the energy and effort necessary to separate the materials and recycle them is prohibitively high. Because conventional shoes are not readily repairable or recyclable, the user consumes a relatively large amount of material over time by wearing and replacing their conventional composite shoes.
In addition, because conventional shoe design does not typically include interchangeable parts, the user who buys a conventional shoe is limited in what ways they may stylistically modify their shoe after acquiring it. Typically, the only interchangeable parts commonly found on conventional shoes are the shoelace and the insole. The interchangeability of the shoelace offers limited stylistic change options. The interchangeability of the insole is useful to the user, but it offers virtually no stylistic benefits.
There is an ongoing stylistic, societal, and ecological need for a shoe which is separable into component parts such that the user may replace worn out components, make stylistic changes without replacing the entire shoe, and reduce the environmental impact caused by their use of footwear.
This disclosure concerns a shoe system comprising at least three separable components, and each component is interchangeable with other like-components. The shoe system, also referred to herein as an article of footwear or a shoe, comprises at least an inner layer, an intermediate layer, and an outer layer. In the present embodiment, the three components are separable layers which, when assembled and worn by the user, are nested within each other, retaining the user's foot inside the inner layer. The user's foot may be inserted into the inner layer, which may be inserted into the intermediate layer, which may be inserted into the outer layer. Alternatively, if the shoe is already assembled the user may insert their foot into the inner layer and then insert their foot into the assembled intermediate and outer layers.
The inner layer described herein is not limited to being the “innermost” layer. It is described as the inner layer in relation to the other two layer components described. Similarly, the outer layer described herein is not limited to being the “outermost” layer. It is described as the outer layer in relation to the other two layer components described. The intermediate layer represents a layer that is disposed between the outer layer and inner layer. The intermediate layer is not required to be in direct contact with the outer layer or the inner layer in all embodiments.
In some embodiments, the user's foot may be retained within the shoe in part or in whole by some or all of the following retention features. The toe area of the inner layer may be retained by the toe box of the layer or layers outside of it. The toe box of the intermediate layer may be retained by the toe box of the outer layer. The heel cup of the inner layer may be retained by the heel cup of the layer or layers outside of it. The heel cup of the intermediate layer may be retained by the heel cup of the outer layer. The left sidewall and right sidewall of the outer layer may be configured to be drawn together in tension over the top of the user's foot, over the layer or layers within the outer layer. In some embodiments, the left sidewall and right sidewall of the outer layers are drawn together with a shoelace.
In some embodiments, the interfacing surfaces of the inner layer and intermediate layer may be configured with interacting textures or features. In some embodiments, the interfacing surfaces of the intermediate layer and the outer layer may be configured with interacting friction features to help locate and hold those layers in place with respect to one another. Friction features from the intermediate layer may in part or in whole mate with friction features on the outer layer by matching protruding friction features of one component with recessed friction features on the other component, forming a variety of “male-female” points of connection. These friction features may be located on the underside, top side, inside, outside, left side, right side, toc area, toe box, mid-foot area, or heel area of any of the three primary shoe components. In preferred embodiments, complementary friction features are found on the intermediate layer and the outer layer to hold those layers together. Friction features are not required in all embodiments of the shoe system.
Other features, combinations, and embodiments will be appreciated by one having the ordinary level of skill in the art of footwear and accessories upon a thorough review of the following details and descriptions, particularly when reviewed in conjunction with the drawings, wherein:
For purposes of explanation and not limitation, details and descriptions of certain preferred embodiments are hereinafter provided such that one having ordinary skill in the art may be enabled to make and use the invention. These details and descriptions are representative only of certain preferred embodiments, however, a myriad of other embodiments which will not be expressly described will be readily understood by one having skill in the art upon a thorough review of the instant disclosure. Accordingly, any reviewer of the instant disclosure should interpret the scope of the invention only by the claims, as such scope is not intended to be limited by the embodiments described and illustrated herein.
For purposes herein, the term “TOE BOX” means the section of the shoe that surrounds the toes.
The term “HEEL CUP” means the rearfoot section of the shoe which curves around the users heel.
The term “MID-FOOT” means the section of the shoe between the toe box and the heel cup.
The term “GARMENT” means any of the wearable components, including the inner layer, intermediate layer, and the outer layer.
Unless explicitly defined herein, terms are to be construed in accordance with the plain and ordinary meaning as would be appreciated by one having skill in the art.
In some embodiments, a shoe system comprising an inner layer, an intermediate layer, and an outer layer is disclosed. The three layer components may be nested within each other to retain the user's inserted foot. In preferred embodiments, the inner layer may be worn on the user's foot before being inserted into the already assembled intermediate layer and outer layer. In some embodiments, the user's foot may be inserted into the inner layer, which may then be inserted into the intermediate layer, which may be inserted into the outer layer.
In some embodiments, the inner layer is a garment made of textile material. The inner layer may insulate and cushion the foot. The inner layer may have a generally tubular shape with a closed toe area at one end and an opening at the other end.
The inner layer may be constructed of any suitably comfortable, pliable, and padded material. In some embodiments, the inner layer may have padding in some sections. In some embodiments, the inner layer padding may be located in the footstep area, the toe area, the heel area, the tongue, the left sidewall, the right sidewall, the foot arch area, the mid-foot area, or some combination thereof. The user may apply the inner layer to their foot before inserting their foot into the intermediate layer. The inner layer is configured to be interchangeable with other compatible inner layers.
In preferred embodiments, the intermediate layer is a garment made from a flexible, semi-rigid material such as foam. The intermediate layer may be configured to hold its shape when outside of the assembled shoe system. The intermediate layer may have a generally basin shape having a toe box, a heel cup, and a mid-foot. The intermediate layer has an opening and an intermediate layer internal surface shape which may receive a foot.
In some embodiments, the intermediate layer may be configured with friction features which may comprise protrusions, indentations, ridges, channels, textures, or other gripping elements. In some embodiments, of the intermediate layer the friction features may be located on the bottom side, left sidewall, and/or right sidewall of the intermediate layer. In other embodiments, friction features may be configured on the top side of the intermediate layer. In other embodiments, friction features may be configured between any interfacing surfaces of the intermediate layer and outer layer. In one embodiment the intermediate layer may be made from a plurality of separable sub-components.
In preferred embodiments, the outer layer is a garment made from a flexible, semi-rigid material, for example and without limitation, rubber. In some embodiments, the outer layer may be made from recycled tree rubber. The outer layer may be configured to hold its shape when outside of the assembled shoe system. The outer layer may have a generally basin shape having a toe box, a heel cup, a mid-foot, a left sidewall, and a right sidewall. The outer layer having an outer layer opening and an outer layer interior surface shape which are configured to receive the intermediate layer.
In preferred embodiments, the outer layer may feature friction features which may consist of protrusions, indentations, textures, or other gripping elements. The preferred embodiments, of the outer layer have friction features on the inner bottom side of the outer layer. In preferred embodiments, these friction features on the inner top side of the outer layer will interlock with the opposing friction features found on the outer bottom side of the intermediate layer. The friction features may be shaped in various patterns, text styles, logos, or other designs. In one embodiment the outer layer may be made from a plurality of separable sub-components.
Friction features on intermediate layers and outer layers which belong to the same collection may interlock, mate, or otherwise couple with each other when the intermediate layer is assembled within the outer layer. The purpose of the friction features is to reduce the movement of the intermediate layer within the outer layer. During normal use the interfacing surfaces of the intermediate layer and the outer layer may experience sheer forces. By interlocking with each other, friction features may help to resist the sheer forces that develop between the intermediate layer and outer layer. In some embodiments, the protruding friction features of one layer interlock with recessed friction features of another layer when the two layers are assembled. An inner layer may have only protruding friction features, only recessed friction features, or some combination of protruding friction features and recessed friction features. An outer layer may have only protruding friction features, only recessed friction features, or some combination of protruding friction features and recessed friction features.
In some embodiments, the left sidewall of the outer layer and the right sidewall of the outer layer extend upwards forming two opposing sidewalls. In some embodiments, the sidewalls are configured with attachment features such as holes, hooks, eyelets, or other. In preferred embodiments, the sidewalls are configured with holes. The user may removably affix a shoelace, or other similar connective or tension element, between the attachment features of the left sidewall and the attachment features of the right sidewall. The primary purpose of connecting the left and right sidewalls is so the sidewalls may be pulled towards each other around the other shoe components. When connected, the left sidewall of the outer layer and the right sidewall of the outer layer may hold the other shoe components around the user's inserted foot. Pulling the outer layer sidewalls over the top of the shoe represents one embodiment of how the inner layer and intermediate layer are retained within the outer layer. In such an embodiment the left and right sidewalls may be considered retention features.
In some embodiments, the toe area of the inner layer may be configured to nest within the intermediate layer such that the toe box of the intermediate layer overhangs the toe area of the inner layer. This overhanging intermediate layer toe box may help to retain the inner layer within the intermediate layer.
In some embodiments, the heel cup of the intermediate layer may be configured to overhang the heel cup of the inner layer. The overhanging intermediate layer heel cup may help to retain the inner layer within the intermediate layer. In some embodiments, a plurality of the left sidewall, right sidewall, or top side of the intermediate layer may be configured to overhang and/or envelope some or all of the left sidewall, right sidewall, or top side of the inner layer. These overhanging intermediate layer features may help to retain the inner layer.
In some embodiments, the toe box of the intermediate layer may be configured to nest within the outer layer such that the toe box of the outer layer overhangs the toe box of the intermediate layer. This overhanging outer layer toe box may help to retain the intermediate layer within the outer layer.
In some embodiments, the heel cup of the outer layer may be configured to overhang the heel cup of the intermediate layer. The overhanging outer layer heel cup may help to retain the intermediate layer within the outer layer. In some embodiments, a plurality of the left sidewall, right sidewall, or top side of the outer layer may be configured to overhang and/or envelope some or all of the left sidewall, right sidewall, or top side of the intermediate layer. These overhanging outer layer features may help to retain the intermediate layer and the inner layer. The overhanging outer layer features which help retain the intermediate layer are referred to as retention features.
In some embodiments, the outer layer is configured with a plurality of outer layer match features. The outer layer match feature or features may, in part or in whole, follow a specific geometry. In some embodiments, the intermediate layer is configured with a plurality of intermediate layer match features. In some embodiments, the intermediate layer match feature(s) may follow, in part or in whole, the geometry of the adjacent outer layer match feature(s).
In preferred embodiments, an outer layer match feature and an intermediate layer match feature form a parallel set of lines which together form the style line of the shoe. The shoe style line is not a necessary feature in all embodiments of the invention. The style line of some embodiments may not form a continuous loop around the shoe. This is to say that a plurality of sections of the intermediate layer may have match features that follow, parallel, align, or touch—which is to say they match in some substantially recognizable way—adjacent sections of the outer layer match feature(s). However, in said embodiment, a plurality of other sections of the intermediate layer and adjacent outer layer may not form a substantially recognizable style line. The shoe style line may serve a variety of purposes described below.
In some embodiments, the style line may indicate which shoe collection the shoe components belong to. A shoe collection refers to all the shoe components which are compatible with each other and interchangeable with other similar components within the shoe collection. For the purposes of illustration, two example shoe collections are presented in the drawing set: Collection A, and Collection B.
In some embodiments, if the outer layer match feature and the intermediate layer match feature do not fit together and form a recognizable relationship, for example two parallel lines, the discontinuity may indicate to the user that the outer layer and intermediate layer do not belong to the same shoe collection. In such a situation the mismatched intermediate layer and outer layer may not be capable of being assembled together. In other embodiments, the intermediate layer may lack an intermediate layer match feature. In other embodiments, the outer layer may lack an outer layer match feature. The match feature is not a necessary aspect of all embodiments of the shoe.
In another embodiment the style line may be used to determine if the intermediate layer is fully seated within the outer layer. In said embodiment, if a user observes that the outer layer match feature does not align with the intermediate layer match feature, and the outer layer and inner layer belong to the same shoe collection, the misalignment may indicate that the intermediate layer is not fully or properly seated within the outer layer.
In some embodiments, the intermediate layer has a piping, or more generally an increased thickness. The outer layer in said embodiment may have a generally receiving geometry, configured to substantially match with the piping of the intermediate layer.
In some embodiments, the outer layer match feature and the intermediate layer match feature create a form fit against one another when assembled. For example, in some embodiments, the intermediate layer match feature may be configured to be a cylindrical piping feature, forming a larger thickness than the adjacent areas of the intermediate layer. In some embodiments, the outer layer match feature and intermediate layer match feature may be comprised of one or more mating or parallel features. In another embodiment the outer layer match feature and intermediate layer match feature may be comprised of continuous features which completely encircle the user's foot.
The outer layer match feature and intermediate layer match feature, and in some embodiments the style line they form, may serve the following purposes. The match features may be stylistic, indicating to the user which shoe collection the component belongs to. The match features may be useful as a visual reference, showing the user the relative location of the outer layer and intermediate layer. The match features may be structural, assisting in the connection between the outer layer and the intermediate layer.
The shoelace of the shoe system can be obtained commercially. Alternatively, the shoe system can be customized in accordance with the level and knowledge of one having skill in the art.
Generally, the inner layer is made of textile material such as wool, polyester, or similar materials. Generally, the intermediate layer is made of foam or materials with similar qualities as foam. Generally, the outer layer is made of rubber or materials with similar qualities as rubber. The shoe components are not limited to being constructed of these materials. The shoe components can be fabricated, manufactured, and/or assembled by various means and out of various materials in accordance with the level and knowledge of one having skill in the art.
Each of the components of the shoe system described herein may be manufactured and/or assembled in accordance with the conventional knowledge and level of a person having skill in the art.
While various details, features, combinations are described in the illustrated embodiments, one having skill in the art will appreciate a myriad of possible alternative combinations and arrangements of the features disclosed herein. As such, the descriptions are intended to be enabling only, and non-limiting. Instead, the spirit and scope of the invention is set forth in the appended claims.
This application claims benefit of priority with U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/487,447, filed Feb. 28, 2023; the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63487447 | Feb 2023 | US |
