MODULAR FOOTWEAR COVERING SYSTEM

Abstract

The modular footwear covering system includes a detachable cover and a shoe able to accept the cover. The upper part of the cover is shaped to conceal a vamp of the shoe and has tails which extend around the left and right of the ankle of the shoe, able to fasten to the heel in order to secure the upper around the ankle of the shoe. The lower part of the cover takes the shape of the sole with enough excess material to slightly extend upwardly around the extremities of the vamp and overlap with the upper. The lower part is elastic, and contains an X-shaped tensioner to evenly tighten the upper around the vamp of the shoe. A corresponding recess in the shoe is able to receive the X-shaped tensioner and provides a reliable mechanical interface to tension and retain the cover about the shoe.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art nor material to the presently described or claimed inventions, nor that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to the field of footwear of existing art and more specifically relates to modular footwear.

RELATED ART

Footwear varies widely with respect to application, coverage, design, comfortability, and aesthetic appearance. Accordingly, many individuals accumulate vast collections of footwear in an effort to meet a wide variety of social and utilitarian needs. Such accumulation is burdensome: shoe collections require an inconvenient amount of space to store, and the purchasing of excessive footwear can be a financial drain. Accordingly, there is seen a need for modular footwear which can meet multiple uses and aesthetic needs with interchanging accessories that do not require excessive storage space or financial cost.

U.S. Pub. No. 2002/0066208 to Rodney Hall relates to an athletic shoe cover. The described athletic shoe cover includes a cover for an athletic shoe including an elastic fabric upper member sized to snugly conformally fit over an athletic shoe covering at least the mid-foot region of a shoe upper portion and extending above and encircling the wearer's ankle. An elastic lower member extends under at least a portion of the shoe sole spanning the inboard and outboard side panels of the upper member without covering the gripping surfaces of the shoe sole. A zipper is provided in the fabric upper member to form an openable seam enabling the wearer to remove the athletic shoe and attach the cover on the wearer's foot without removing the cover from the shoe. This publication is representative of the prior art solutions for modular footwear systems. However, Hall does not teach a modularity solution that is perceived to provide sufficient mechanical integrity or modularity. Accordingly, a superior solution is yet desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known footwear art, the present disclosure provides a novel modular footwear covering system. The general purpose of the present disclosure, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a modular footwear covering system which improves the structural integrity and convenience of prior art modularity solutions.

The modular footwear covering system provides a structure for applying interchangeable coverings to the exterior of footwear. In such a way, footwear may be customized by a user for different occasions and applications with a variety of external designs. Furthermore, logos, phrases, names, etc. may be applied to the covering.

The modular footwear covering system includes a detachable cover and a shoe able to accept the cover. The upper part of the cover is shaped to conceal a vamp of the shoe and has tails which extend around the left and right of the ankle of the shoe, able to fasten to the heel in order to secure the upper around the ankle of the shoe. The lower part of the cover takes the shape of the sole with enough excess material to slightly extend upwardly around the extremities of the vamp and overlap with the upper. The lower part is elastic, and contains an X-shaped tensioner to evenly tighten the upper around the vamp of the shoe. A corresponding recess in the shoe is able to receive the X-shaped tensioner and provides a reliable mechanical interface to tension and retain the cover about the shoe.

For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, a modular footwear covering system, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the modular footwear covering system during an ‘in-use’ condition, illustrating the installation of the cover onto the footwear, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the footwear and cover of the modular footwear covering system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cover of the modular footwear covering system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the cover of the modular footwear covering system of FIG. 1 installed upon the footwear, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the modular footwear covering system of FIG. 1 illustrating the fastening system, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the modular footwear covering system of FIG. 1 illustrating an alternative embodiment of the fastening system, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to footwear and more particularly to a modular footwear covering system as used to improve the mechanical integrity and user-end convenience of modular footwear systems.

Generally, the modular footwear covering system includes an upper and a lower. The upper has a substantially torpedo shape suitable for fully covering the vamp of the footwear, and also includes two tails (a left and a right) which are able to extend rearwardly to wrap about the ankle of the shoe and fasten together to secure the upper. These tails may fasten end-to-end with each other using snaps, hook-and-loop, or other suitable fasteners. The upper may range in thickness from two to four millimeters, and may be constructed of such materials as neoprene, stretch leather, patent leather, suede, elastic denim, and others. The upper should have some degree of elasticity. The upper may be adorned with a variety of ornamental designs, logos, names, sport or military icons, utilitarian features, etc.

The lower has a perimeter which outlines the shape of the sole of the footwear, and an X-structure which spans inside the perimeter and is structurally integral (unitary) to the perimeter. The perimeter is affixed or integral with the edges of the upper where the upper stretches down to the edges of the vamp and meets the sole. The X-structure is designed to tension the perimeter (and thereby the upper which is integrated with the perimeter) in all four directions which the X extends to. The X-shape may mimic the shape of a baseball diamond. This may be enacted by constructing the lower of an elastic material; preferably rubber. The lower may range in thickness from two to four millimeters, and may be reinforced with nylon fibers in some embodiments.

The modular footwear covering system may also include a shoe specifically adapted to accept the cover. The shoe may be specifically designed with fastening systems to accept and retain the cover, as will be detailed below. The shoe may be designed to be fully functional and aesthetically pleasing without a cover installed. However, different covers may be attached to the shoe to provide a wide variety of functional augmentations. For example, one cover may be adapted to provide a full or partial waterproof barrier to the shoe. Another cover may be lined with fleece, fur, or another insulating material to make the shoe warmer in the winter. Some covers may provide additional traction surfaces. Others may be interchangeable merely to alter the external geometry, color, indicia, or appearance of the shoe. Covers may be multilayered, having an inner layer to prevent bleeding of the colors of the external layer to the shoe. For manufacturing expediency, it may be preferable that the covers be constructed of three components which are stitched or otherwise fastened together to form the final product: The vamp/underside, the right-tail, and the left-tail.

In one basic version, the cover may be constructed primarily of two-millimeter thick neoprene. It has been found that this thickness and material provides an optimum solution to maintain the visible external geometry of the shoe without being insufficiently thick for durability and smooth contour.

Various styles of shoes may be provided. For example, low-cut, mid-cut, and high-cut styles may be produced. Primarily, tennis shoe type designs are envisioned, but it should be understood that the disclosed modularity system is applicable to a wide variety of footwear types.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in FIGS. 1-6, various views of a modular footwear covering system 100.

FIG. 1 shows a modular footwear covering system 100 during an ‘in-use’ condition, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Here, the modular footwear covering system may be beneficial for use by a user to provide a modularity of different functional coverings to a single pair of shoes. As illustrated, modular footwear system 100 may include footwear-cover 110 and shoe 200, such that footwear-cover 110 is able to releasably attach to and cover an exterior of shoe 200. As shown, footwear-cover 110 may be opened at the rear and shoe 200 installed from the heel end of the footwear-cover 110, with the toe of shoe 200 being installed first. Shoe 200 should be installed in an upside-down orientation so that the user is able to manipulate X-shaped tensioner 140, which must be aligned with X-shaped recess 240 of shoe 200 for proper installation. X-shaped tensioner 140 may include a plurality of embedded magnets 142.

Footwear-cover 110 may have vamp-cover 116, left-tail 122, right-tail 120 mirroring left-tail 122, sole-shaped perimeter 118, and X-shaped tensioner 140. Right-tail 120 and left-tail 122 may each have fastening mechanisms able to attach to a heel area of shoe 200. Sole-shaped perimeter 118 may define interior 119, into which shoe 200 may be inserted. Footwear-cover 110 may be sufficiently deformable or even elastic such that interior 119 is not a rigid shape or fixed volume until shoe 200 is inserted. X-shaped tensioner 140 may be integral with sole-shaped perimeter 118, and may span interior 119 of sole-shaped perimeter 118. Footwear-cover 110 may also include plurality of shoelace-apertures 130. In a preferred embodiment, these consist of three on the right side of the cover, and a mirroring three on the left side of the cover.

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the footwear and cover of the modular footwear covering system 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Modular footwear system 100 may include shoe 200 as shown. Shoe 200 may include right-side 204, left-side 206, vamp-surface 202 (FIG. 1) bridging right-side 204 and left-side 206, heel 208, toe 209, and sole 210. Sole 210 may be disposed opposite of vamp-surface 202 and may correspond to the sole of a user's foot when the shoe 200 is worn. Sole 210 may have an X-shaped recess 240 which corresponds in shape to the X-shaped tensioner 140, such that X-shaped tensioner 140 is able to be installed into X-shaped recess 240. X-shaped tensioner 140 may be able to be retained to X-shaped recess 240 by friction in the sidewalls of the recess or by elastic tension of the X-shaped tensioner 140 itself. When installed, X-shaped tensioner tensions the rest of the footwear-cover 110 about vamp-surface 202 of shoe 200. As shown, X-shaped recess 240 may include two crisscrossed slots, each cutting through right-side 204 on one end and left-side 206 on the other end.

X-shaped tensioner 140 may have four spokes, each of the four being connected to the others at a center. In this way, each of the four spokes span radially between the center and sole-shaped perimeter 118. Additionally, each of the four spokes may be tapered, such that each of the four spokes are wider at where they connect with sole-shaped perimeter 118 than where they connect with the center.

In like manner, X-shaped recess 240 may comprise four slots which are centrally connected, each of the four slots being tapered in a manner able to correspond with and accept each of the four spokes of X-shaped tensioner 140. The corresponding tapered shape of X-shaped recess 240 and X-shaped tensioner 140 together may prevent X-shaped tensioner 140 from sliding within or indexing incorrectly with X-shaped recess 240.

X-shaped recess 240 may be characterized by a depth in a direction perpendicular to sole 210 (that is, being recessed into sole 210, towards an interior of shoe 200). X-shaped tensioner 140 may be characterized by a thickness in a direction parallel to the depth of X-shaped recess 240 when X-shaped tensioner 140 is installed into X-shaped recess 240 (also, the direction towards interior 119 (FIG. 1) of footwear-cover 110). Preferably, the depth of X-shaped recess 240 is between sixty and ninety-eight percent of the thickness of X-shaped tensioner 140, such that when X-shaped tensioner 140 is installed into X-shaped recess 240, X-shaped tensioner 140 protrudes beyond sole 210. In an ideal embodiment, depth of X-shaped recess 240 is within ten percentiles of deviation from four millimeters, and the thickness of X-shaped tensioner 140 is within ten percentiles of deviation from five millimeters. It is preferred that X-shaped tensioner 140 extended beyond sole 210 in this way when contacting a ground surface because this ensures that during use, the traction surface of X-shaped tensioner 140 will wear rather than sole 210. Accordingly, when X-shaped tensioner 140 (or cover 110 as a whole) is worn out, a user may simply replace cover 110, while the shoe 200 remains in optimal condition longer. It has been found that the disclosed ratios provide an optimal condition whereby the X-shaped tensioner 140 will wear before sole 210, but does not protrude so excessively that the bottom surface of the shoe and cover combination feels uneven relative to the heel or toe of the shoe when worn by a user.

X-shaped recess 240 may include a plurality of embedded magnets. Each of X-shaped tensioner 140 may include plurality of cover-magnets 142, embedded within a side of X-shaped tensioner 140 facing interior 119 (FIG. 1), being able to interface with the plurality of embedded magnets in shoe 200. It is envisioned in certain embodiments that X-shaped recess 240 be lined to improve grip of the recess to the tensioner. For example, the recess may be lined with one millimeter of softer rubber than what sole 210 is constructed of.

Sole 210 of shoe 200 further comprises at least one embedded toe-magnet 250, at least one embedded toe-magnet 250 being disposed between X-shaped recess 240 of sole 210 of shoe 200 and toe 209 of shoe 200, at least one embedded toe-magnet 250 being able to magnetically engage with one or more of plurality of cover-magnets 142. Plurality of cover-magnets 142 may include dedicated toe-magnets 144 which correspond to at least one embedded toe-magnet 250, preferably in an array of three.

X-shaped recess 240 of sole 210 of the footwear further comprises at least one embedded recess-magnet 242, which may be oriented and disposed such that it is able to magnetically engage with one or more of plurality of cover-magnets 142. These magnetic interfaces may supplement the elastic tension and mechanical engagement of the X-shaped tensioner 140 with the X-shaped recess 240 to aid in retaining footwear-cover 110 to shoe 200.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cover of the modular footwear covering system 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Here, footwear-cover 110 is shown alone, uninstalled from shoe 200 (FIG. 4).

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the cover of the modular footwear covering system 100 of FIG. 1 installed upon the footwear, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Here, footwear-cover 110 is shown installed upon shoe 200.

FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the modular footwear covering system 100 of FIG. 1 illustrating the fastening system, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated, shoe 200 may also include a pair of heel-fasteners affixed to heel 208 of shoe 200. Each of the pair of heel-fasteners comprises at least one socket 220 (and preferably, two sockets, vertically arranged, such that in combination, both pairs of heel-fasteners form an array of four sockets as illustrated). Correspondingly, each of right-tail 120 and left-tail 122 comprise the at least one stud able to interface with at least one socket 220. As shown, each tail preferably includes two studs 126 vertically arranged (vertically being defined as in a worn condition, with the sole of the shoe being lower, and the vamp being higher). Studs 126 should be as short as possible to keep left-tail 122 and right-tail 120 flush with heel 208 when fastened. Preferably, when installed, the tails provide full coverage, extending vertically from shoe 200's sole 210 to the ankle hem.

Each of right-tail 120 and left-tail 122 are preferably elastic to aid in maintaining a tight fit of footwear-cover 110 to shoe 220, and also to retain each stud 126 to the corresponding socket 220. Each of at least one socket 220 may have an entry facing inwardly (as shown) towards heel 208 of shoe 200, such that each of right-tail 120 and left-tail 122 must be stretched in order to slide a corresponding one of at least one stud 126 with a corresponding one of at least one socket 220. In this way, the tail must be deliberately stretched by the user in order to withdraw the stud 126 from the corresponding socket 220. At the same time, the elasticity of right-tail 120 and left-tail 122 pull the cover tautly about toe 209, ensuring excellent retention and a desirable aesthetic fit.

FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the modular footwear covering system 100 of FIG. 1 illustrating an alternative embodiment of the fastening system, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, left-tail 122 and right-tail 120 in combination may further comprise zipper 150. Zipper 150 may be used in substitution for or in supplement to studs 126 and sockets 220. As shown, zipper 150 may be used to releasably fasten left-tail 122 directly to right-tail 120.

The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.

Claims

1. A modular footwear system comprising a footwear-cover having a vamp-cover;a left-tail;a right-tail mirroring the left-tail;a sole-shaped perimeter defining an interior; andan X-shaped tensioner integral with the sole-shaped perimeter spanning the interior of the sole-shaped perimeter.

2. The modular footwear system of claim 1, further comprising a shoe comprising a right-side;a left-side;a vamp-surface bridging the right-side and the left-side;a heel;a toe; anda sole opposite the vamp-surface, the sole having an X-shaped recess, the X-shaped recess including two crisscrossed slots each passing between the right-side and the left-side; the X-shaped recess being able to accept the X-shaped tensioner of the cover.

3. The modular footwear system of claim 2, wherein each of the heel and the X-shaped recess include a plurality of embedded magnets.

4. The modular footwear system of claim 3, wherein the X-shaped tensioner includes a plurality of cover-magnets able to interface with the plurality of embedded magnets.

5. The modular footwear system of claim 4, wherein the plurality of embedded magnets comprises at least one embedded toe-magnet, the at least one embedded toe-magnet being disposed between the X-shaped recess of the sole of the shoe and the toe of the shoe, the at least one embedded toe-magnet being able to magnetically engage with one or more of the plurality of cover-magnets.

6. The modular footwear system of claim 4, wherein plurality of embedded magnets comprises at least one embedded recess-magnet integrated into the X-shaped recess, the at least one embedded recess-magnet being able to magnetically engage with one or more of the plurality of cover-magnets.

7. The modular footwear system of claim 1, wherein the footwear-cover further comprises a plurality of shoelace-apertures.

8. The modular footwear system of claim 2, wherein the shoe further comprises a pair of heel-fasteners affixed to the heel of the shoe, and each of the pair of heel-fasteners comprises at least one socket; and each of the right-tail and the left-tail comprise at least one stud able to interface with the at least one socket.

9. The modular footwear system of claim 8, wherein each of the right-tail and the left-tail are elastic, and each of the at least one sockets comprises an entry facing inwardly towards the heel of the shoe, such that each of the right-tail and the left-tail must be stretched in order to slide a corresponding one of the at least one stud into a corresponding one of the at least one socket.

10. The modular footwear system of claim 1, wherein the X-shaped tensioner comprises four spokes connected at a center of the X-shaped tensioner, each of the four spokes spanning between the center and the sole-shaped perimeter, each of the four spokes being tapered, such that each of the four spokes are wider at the sole-shaped perimeter than at the center.

11. The modular footwear system of claim 2, wherein the X-shaped tensioner comprises four spokes connected at a center of the X-shaped tensioner, each of the four spokes spanning between the center and the sole-shaped perimeter, each of the four spokes being tapered, such that each of the four spokes are wider at the sole-shaped perimeter than at the center; andwherein the X-shaped recess comprises four slots which are centrally connected, each of the four slots being tapered in a manner able to correspond with and accept each of the four spokes of the X-shaped tensioner.

12. The modular footwear system of claim 2, wherein the X-shaped recess comprises a depth in a direction perpendicular to the sole; andthe X-shaped tensioner comprises a thickness in a direction parallel to the depth of the X-shaped recess when the X-shaped tensioner is installed into the X-shaped recess;whereby the depth of the X-shaped recess is between sixty and ninety-eight percent of the thickness of the X-shaped tensioner, such that when the X-shaped tensioner is installed into the X-shaped recess, the X-shaped tensioner protrudes beyond the sole.

13. The modular footwear system of claim 12, wherein the depth of the X-shaped recess is within ten percentiles of deviation from four millimeters, and the thickness of the X-shaped tensioner is within ten percentiles of deviation from five millimeters.

14. The modular footwear system of claim 1, wherein the X-shaped tensioner is elastic.

15. A modular footwear system comprising a footwear-cover having a vamp-cover,a left-tail, anda right-tail mirroring the left-tail,a sole-shaped perimeter defining an interior, andan X-shaped tensioner integral with the sole-shaped perimeter spanning the interior of the sole-shaped perimeter; anda shoe comprising a right-side,a left-side,a vamp-surface bridging the right-side and the left-side,a heel,a toe, anda sole opposite the vamp-surface, the sole having an X-shaped recess, the X-shaped recess including two crisscrossed slots each passing between the right-side and the left-side; the X-shaped recess being able to accept the X-shaped tensioner of the cover;wherein each of the heel and the X-shaped recess include a plurality of embedded magnets;wherein each of the X-shaped tensioner includes a plurality of cover-magnets able to interface with the plurality of embedded magnets;wherein the shoe further comprises a pair of heel-fasteners affixed to the heel of the shoe, each of the pair of heel-fasteners comprises at least one socket;wherein each of the right-tail and the left-tail comprise at least one stud able to interface with the at least one socket;wherein each of the right-tail and the left-tail are elastic; andwherein each of the at least one sockets comprise an entry facing inwardly towards the heel of the shoe, such that each of the right-tail and the left-tail must be stretched in order to slide a corresponding one of the at least one stud with a corresponding one of the at least one socket.