The exemplary embodiments of the invention relate generally to a shoe.
A shoe is an important element of fashion. However, many shoes often need to be purchased by a single user to match colors and fashion styles.
A shoe can have an interchangeable upper portion to be used with a sole.
In one aspect, a shoe can include a sole member having a top surface and an edge circumscribing the sole member, the top surface including at least two sections of at least one pair of mating members, each mating member extending outwardly from the top surface of the sole member; and at least two straps, each strap having a first end and a second end and each of the first end and the second end including a coupling feature that affixes to the strap to the coupling feature of the mating member.
In another aspect, a shoe system can include a sole member having a top surface and an edge circumscribing the sole member, the top surface including at least two sections of at least one pair of mating members, each mating member extending outwardly from the top surface of the sole member; and at least two straps, each strap having a first end and a second end and each of the first end and the second end including a coupling feature that affixes to the strap to the coupling feature of the mating member. In certain embodiments, the shoe system can include a second set of at least two straps having a different appearance that the first at least two straps.
In certain embodiments, one pair of mating members can be a loop and at least one of the first end and the second end of at least one strap can extend through the loop and the coupling feature affixes to the strap.
In certain embodiments, the coupling feature can affix to a complementary coupling feature of the strap with a snap or slide lock fastener.
In certain embodiments, the coupling feature can affix to a complementary coupling feature of the strap with a hook and eye.
In certain embodiments, the coupling feature can affix to a complementary coupling feature of the strap with a cuff link-styled connector.
In certain embodiments, the coupling feature can affix to a complementary coupling feature of the strap with a shirt stud-styled connector.
In certain embodiments, one pair of mating members can be a tab including a complementary coupling features and at least one of the first end and the second end of at least one strap can affix the coupling feature of the strap to the coupling feature affixes to a complementary coupling feature of the strap of the tab.
In certain embodiments, the coupling feature and the complementary coupling feature can form a snap or slide lock fastener.
In certain embodiments, the coupling feature and the complementary coupling feature can form a hook and eye.
In certain embodiments, the coupling feature and the complementary coupling feature can include a hole that affixes a cuff link-styled connector.
In certain embodiments, the coupling feature and the complementary coupling feature can a hole that affixes a shirt stud-styled connector.
Other features and advantages of the invention are described herein.
Before the embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including” and “comprising” and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items and equivalents thereof. Further, the use of the term “mount,” “mounted” or “mounting” is meant to broadly include any technique or method of mounting, attaching, joining or coupling one part to another, whether directly or indirectly.
The invention may be embodied in various forms. Referring to the Figures wherein like numerals indicate like elements,
In another embodiment, referring to
In another embodiment,
In another embodiment, referring to
The shoe can be any style of shoe, for example, a sandal, a flip-flop, a shoe with a heel or a shoe without a heel).
The shoe can be sold as a packaged system or as separate components. For example, the package can be a “starter package” including a right shoe sole, left shoe sole and an assortment of 2-6 strap colors or styles. Referring to
In general, there can be different types of loops for the sole member. The loops can be stitched, glued, taped, or cemented to the insole or midsole or footbed of sole member. If attached to the midsole, the insole will then be applied on top of the midsole and can have cutouts for the loop ends, so they rest on top of the insole or footbed.
The three different loops (or handles) can be made from a harder material such as metal, rubber, plastic, etc., that can be stitched, glued, cemented, taped, or screwed into the insole or midsole or footbed of the sole member. If attached to the midsole, the insole can then be applied on top of the midsole and will have cutouts for the loop ends, so they rest on top of the insole or footbed. This might need to be custom made, or developed as part of a custom-molded footbed.
In certain embodiments, the loop fastening system can include at least four base loops on each insole. The base loops can be between ⅛″-½″ wide and between 3/16″-2¾″ in length. The base loops can be stitched, glued, cemented, or screwed onto the insole and/or midsole or footbed. If attached to the midsole, the insole will then be applied on top of the midsole and will have cutouts for the loop ends, so they rest on top of the insole or footbed. The loops to be made from fabric, leather, plastic, rubber, microfiber, metal, or another similar material
In certain embodiments, the interchangeable sandal straps form a shoe with the sole member. There can be at least two sandal straps needed for each base to form a shoe. As an alternative, a single larger sandal strap can be used in place of the two sandal straps. The sandal straps can be between 3/16″-2½″ wide. The straps to be made from fabric, leather, plastic, rubber, microfiber, metal, or another similar material.
Alternatively, a vertical fastening system can be used. There can be at least four vertical anchors, or tabs, on each base. Vertical anchors can be stitched, glued, or cemented onto the insole and/or midsole or footbed. If attached to the midsole, the insole will then be applied on top of the midsole and will have cutouts for the loop ends, so they rest on top of the insole or footbed. The vertical anchors can be between 3/16″-2¾″ wide. The vertical anchors can be made from fabric, leather, plastic, rubber, microfiber, metal, or another similar material.
In certain embodiments, one of the coupling members or mating member can include a magnet. This can allow magnetism to assist in aligning and fastening the coupler to the mating member when the user is assembling the shoe together.
Variations and modifications of the foregoing are within the scope of the present invention. For example, one of skill in the art will understand that multiples of the described components may be used in stores and in various configurations. The present invention is therefore not to be limited to a single system, nor the upright pusher configuration, depicted in the Figures, as the system is simply illustrative of the features, teachings and principles of the invention. It should further be understood that the invention disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text and/or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the present invention. The embodiments described herein explain the best modes known for practicing the invention and will enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/693,616, filed Jul. 3, 2018, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/US2019/040203 | 7/1/2019 | WO | 00 |
Number | Date | Country | |
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62693616 | Jul 2018 | US |