Modular Shoe

Abstract

A shoe including a base portion having a pair of slots and an upper portion having a pair of cordings configured to be slid into the pair of slots to attach the top portion to the base portion. The upper portion is removable from the base portion by sliding the cording out of the pair of slots so that the upper portion may be replaced with another upper portion.

Description

FIELD

The present invention generally relates to shoes, and in particular to shoes with replaceable components.

BACKGROUND

In general, shoes are intended to protect and comfort the human foot. Shoes are also used as an item of decoration or fashion. A conventional shoe design includes a sole, a heel and an upper. Many types of shoe designs have been created over the years, and in general women's shoe types, for example, include high-heeled footwear, mules, slingbacks, ballet flats and pumps.

Conventional shoes are sold with the sole portion fixed to the upper so as to form a unitary structure. A customer will often make a purchase decision for a particular pair of shoes based on comfort, style and overall design. With the understanding that shoes are generally not modifiable, a customer will often accumulate many different types of shoes to accommodate different situations, such as, for example, a more dressy, high-heeled shoe with less cushioning for formal occasions and a shoe with a flatter design with more cushioning for travel.

What is needed is a pair of shoes that offers a wearer flexibility in style and comfort.

SUMMARY

An object of the present invention is to provide a modular shoe having various components that may be removed and replaced with different variations of the same component.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a shoe having a base portion to which may be attached uppers in a removable manner so that the upper can be replaced with other uppers having a different structure, appearance and/or overall design.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a shoe having a base portion with removable cushion components so that the cushion components can be replaced with other cushion components that may vary in thickness and/or softness depending on the needs of the wearer.

A shoe according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprises: a base portion comprising a pair of slots; and an upper portion comprising a pair of cordings configured to be slid into the pair of slots to attach the upper portion to the base portion, wherein the upper portion is removable from the base portion by sliding the cording out of the pair of slots so that the upper portion is replaceable with another upper portion.

In an exemplary embodiment the upper portion comprises at least one strap.

In an exemplary embodiment the upper portion comprises at least one buckle.

In an exemplary embodiment the base portion comprises at least one opening configured to receive at least one cushion.

In an exemplary embodiment the at least one opening is configured to receive a heel cushion.

In an exemplary embodiment the at least one opening is configured to receive a foot pad cushion.

In an exemplary embodiment the at least one opening comprises a first opening and the base portion further comprises a heel cushion removably disposed in the first opening.

In an exemplary embodiment the at least one opening comprises a second opening and the base portion further comprises a foot bed cushion removably disposed in the second opening.

In an exemplary embodiment the base portion comprises a first side surface and a second side surface, and each slot of the pair of slots is cut or formed in a respective one of the first and second side surfaces.

In an exemplary embodiment, the base portion comprises a pair of internal tubes which run underneath each of the first side surface and second side surface, and the pair of slots in the base portion is cut or formed in a respective one of the first and second side surfaces to provide access to the pair of internal tubes.

In an exemplary embodiment, each cording of the pair of cordings of the upper portion are larger in diameter than the width of each slot of the pair of slots.

In an exemplary embodiment, each cording of the pair of cordings of the upper portion are smaller in diameter than each tube in the pair of internal tubes.

In an exemplary embodiment, each cording of the pair of cordings of the upper portion are sufficiently smaller than each tube of the pair of internal tubes such that the cordings can be slid through the internal tubes without the cordings rubbing against the inside of the internal tubes.

In an exemplary embodiment, each cording of the pair of cordings comprises a tip portion and each internal tube comprises a portion configured to hold the tip portion in place when the pair of cordings are fully inserted into the pair of slots.

In an exemplary embodiment, the pair of cordings of the upper portion run the full length of each tube of the pair of internal tubes.

In an exemplary embodiment, the cordings are not visible on the outside of the shoe.

In an exemplary embodiment, each tube in the pair of internal tubes is cylindrical.

In an exemplary embodiment, each slot of the pair of slots comprises an insertion opening configured to allow a cording to be slid into and out of the slot.

In an exemplary embodiment, the insertion opening is at the rear of the slot of the base portion.

In an exemplary embodiment, the pair of cordings is made of, or coated in, a material, preferably a low-friction material, that allows them to be slid through the insertion openings at the back of the shoe and into place by pushing them forward towards the front of the base portion on both sides.

In an exemplary embodiment, each cording of the pair of cordings comprises a tip portion at the front of the cording, wherein the tip portion is textured.

In an exemplary embodiment, the tip portion is configured to hold the cordings in place when the cording is fully inserted into a slot of the pair of slots.

In an exemplary embodiment, the base portion is rigid.

In an exemplary embodiment, the base portion is at least 10 mm in thickness, preferably between 10 mm and 18 mm in thickness. It is understood that the thickness measurement of the base portion does not include the heel height.

In an exemplary embodiment, the base portion comprises a toe and heel portion and the base portion comprises a rounded bottom in the toe portion.

In an exemplary embodiment, the pair of cordings are held in place in the pair of slots when the shoe is worn on a foot by a forward and/or upward pressure of the foot on the at least one strap of the upper portion.

In an exemplary embodiment, in the absence of forward and/or upward pressure on the at least one strap of the upper portion, the pair of cordings are not held in place.

In an exemplary embodiment, the base portion is a left foot base portion or a right foot base portion, and the upper portion is a left foot upper portion or a right foot base portion, wherein the right foot upper portion is configured to be attached to the right foot base portion and the left foot upper portion is configured to be attached to the left foot base portion, preferably wherein each upper portion comprises a marking to indicate whether the upper portion is a left foot upper portion or a right foot upper portion.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with references to the accompanying figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a shoe according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a shoe according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 2B is a perspective view of an upper portion of a shoe according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a shoe according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, showing a cross-section across the toe of the shoe.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a shoe, generally designated by reference number 1, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The shoe 1 includes a base portion 10 and an upper portion 40. The base portion 10 is made up of a sole, which includes an outsole 12 and an insole 14. In embodiments, a midsole may be disposed between the outsole 12 and the insole 14. The base portion 10 also includes a back portion 16 that may include a heel, such as the high heel as shown in FIG. 1. The base portion 10 further includes a front portion 18 configured to accommodate the front of the wearer's foot. A medial portion 20 may be disposed between the front and back portions 16, 18.

In embodiments, each side of the base portion 10 include a slot 22 extending longitudinally along the sole of the shoe 1 (the slot 22 on the other side of the shoe 1 is not shown in FIG. 1). Each slot 22 may extend from the back portion 16 to the front portion 18 and preferably includes an insertion opening 24 at the beginning of the slot 22 at the back portion 16. As explained in more detail below, the upper portion 40 may be removably connected to the base portion 10 via the slots 22.

The upper portion 40 of the shoe 1 includes a pair of cordings, and in particular a first cording 42 and a second cording 44. The first cording 42 extends longitudinally and forms a first side of the upper portion 40 and the second cording 44 also extends longitudinally and forms a second, opposite side of the upper portion 40. The cordings 42, 44 may be sufficiently rigid to support other components 46 of the upper portion 40, such as, for example, straps (as shown), zippers, and other types of fasteners and combinations thereof. In general, the additional components 46 are intended to cover and hold at least a portion of the top of the wearer's foot upon insertion of the foot into the shoe. The additional components 46 are preferably arranged and styled to provide the shoe 1 with an overall aesthetically pleasing look. For example, the additional components 46 may include an arrangement of straps, buckles, zippers and/or other types of fasteners in a particular shape and appearance, with a variation of colors and combinations of colors, as well as design elements, such as, for example, stripes, dots, and/or other types of geometric designs.

To removably attach the upper portion 40 to the base portion 10, the head of each cording 42, 44 may be inserted into the corresponding opening 24 of a corresponding one of the slots 22. Each cording 42, 44 may then be threaded through its corresponding slot 22 until the head of the cording 42, 44 reaches the end of the slot 22. At that point, the upper portion 40 is completely fitted and attached to the base portion 10 so that the overall structure appears as a unitary shoe. In embodiments, the cordings 42, 44 may be made of, for example, cloth and/or leather, and the heads of the cordings 42, 44 may be made of, for example, rubber and/or plastic.

In embodiments, the upper portion 40 may be removed by simply pulling the cordings 42, 44 out of the slots 22 and, if desired, replaced with another upper portion 40. For example, the replacement upper portion 40 may have a different style (e.g., color, design, etc.) and/or structure (e.g., a different number of straps, type of buckle or other type of fastener) as compared to the original upper portion 40. In embodiments, the shoe 1 may be made available with any number and style of upper portions (either as a kit or made available separately) so that the wearer can switch out the upper portion as desired to accommodate different occasions and looks, for example.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the base portion 10 may include openings that accommodate removable and replaceable cushion components. For example, the base portion 10 may include a first opening 26 at the back portion 16 of the shoe 1 and a second opening 28 at the front portion 18 of the shoe 1. The first opening 26 may be sized and configured to accommodate a heel cushion 32 and the second opening 28 may be sized and configured to accommodate a foot bed cushion 34. The heel cushion 32 and/or the foot bed cushion 34 may be easily removed from their respective openings and replaced with other cushions, which may be thicker, thinner, provide more cushioning, or provide less cushioning, based on the needs of the wearer. In embodiments, a variety of replaceable cushion components may be provided that are intended to be used with a variety of replaceable upper portions 40. For example, a wearer may wish to use thinner cushion components with an upper portion 40 having a more delicate design so that the shoe 1 takes on a more consistent appearance and style.

In embodiments, the components of the shoe 1 may be made of materials, such as, for example, natural rubber, polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and combinations thereof, to name a few.

In embodiments, each slot 22 may have a width of, for example, 3 mm to 3.5 mm, and each insertion opening 24 may have a diameter of, for example, 7 mm to 7.5 mm. Each cording 42, 44 may have a diameter of, for example, 5.5 mm to 6.5 mm. It should be appreciated that the present invention is not limited by these dimensions, and in exemplary embodiments these dimensions may be varied by lesser or greater amounts.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a shoe, generally designated by reference number 100, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention and FIG. 2B shows the upper portion 140 of the shoe 100 removed from the base portion 110 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As with the previous exemplary embodiment, the base portion 110 includes slots 122 with corresponding insertion openings 124 and the upper portion 140 includes first and second cordings 142, 144. Other components 146 of the upper portion 140, such as, for example, straps and buckles, may be sewn or otherwise attached to the first and second cordings 142, 144. The upper portion 140 may be removed from the base portion 110 by sliding the cordings 142, 144 out of their respective slots 122. The user may then retrieve another upper portion 140, perhaps one with another style, design and/or structure, and attach that upper portion 140 to the base portion 110 by sliding the cordings 142, 144 through the insertion openings 124 and into the slots 122.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a shoe, showing a cross section across the toe of the shoe. The first opening 26 and second opening 28 of the shoe which may be sized and configured to accommodate a foot bed cushion are depicted. The slot 22, along which each cording may be threaded, is also depicted. The cross section across the toe of the shoe reveals the internal tubes 23 along which the cordings 142, 144, slide.

Although FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B and 3, show exemplary embodiments of the present invention in the context of high-heeled shoes, it should be appreciated that the present invention is applicable to may other types of shoes, such as, for example, flats, loafers, wedges and low heels. In embodiments, the present invention is applicable to any open toe and open heel design in any color and pattern.

Now that embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described in detail, various modifications and improvements thereon can become readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, as set forth above, are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. The spirit and scope of the present invention is to be construed broadly.

Claims

1. A shoe, comprising: a base portion comprising a pair of slots; andan upper portion comprising a pair of cordings configured to be slid into the pair of slots to attach the upper portion to the base portion,wherein the upper portion is removable from the base portion by sliding the cording out of the pair of slots so that the upper portion is replaceable with another upper portion.

2. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the upper portion comprises at least one strap.

3. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the upper portion comprises at least one buckle.

4. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the base portion comprises at least one opening configured to receive at least one cushion.

5. The shoe of claim 4, wherein the at least one opening is configured to receive a heel cushion.

6. The shoe of claim 4, wherein the at least one opening is configured to receive a foot pad cushion.

7. The shoe of claim 4, wherein the at least one opening comprises a first opening and the base portion further comprises a heel cushion removably disposed in the first opening.

8. The shoe of claim 7, wherein the at least one opening comprises a second opening and the base portion further comprises a foot bed cushion removably disposed in the second opening.

9. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the base portion comprises a first side surface and a second side surface, and each slot of the pair of slots is cut or formed in a respective one of the first and second side surfaces.

10. The shoe of claim 9, wherein the base portion comprises a pair of internal tubes which run underneath each of the first side surface and second side surface, and the pair of slots in the base portion is cut or formed in a respective one of the first and second side surfaces to provide access to the pair of internal tubes.

11. The shoe of claim 10, wherein each cording of the pair of cordings of the upper portion are larger in diameter than the width of each slot of the pair of slots, preferably wherein each cording of the pair of cordings of the upper portion are smaller in diameter than each tube in the pair of internal tubes, more preferably sufficiently smaller such that the cordings can be slid through the internal tubes without the cordings rubbing against the inside of the internal tubes.

12. The shoe of claim 10, wherein each cording of the pair of cordings comprises a tip portion and each internal tube comprises a portion configured to hold the tip portion in place when the pair of cordings are fully inserted into the pair of slots.

13. The shoe of claim 11, wherein the pair of cordings of the upper portion run the full length of each tube of the pair of internal tubes.

14. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the cordings are not visible on the outside of the shoe.

15. The shoe of claim 11, wherein each tube in the pair of internal tubes is cylindrical.

16. The shoe of claim 1, wherein each slot of the pair of slots comprises an insertion opening configured to allow a cording to be slid into and out of the slot.

17. The shoe of claim 16, wherein the insertion opening is at the rear of the slot of the base portion.

18. The shoe of claim 16, wherein the pair of cordings is made of, or coated in, a material, preferably a low-friction material, that allows them to be slid through the insertion openings at the back of the shoe and into place by pushing them forward towards the front of the base portion on both sides.

19. The shoe of claim 1, wherein each cording of the pair of cordings comprises a tip portion at the front of the cording, wherein the tip portion: a) is textured, and/orb) is configured to hold the cordings in place when the cording is fully inserted into a slot of the pair of slots.

20. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the base portion: a) is rigid; and/orb) is at least 10 mm in thickness, preferably 10 mm to 18 mm in thickness.

21. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the base portion comprises a toe and heel portion and the base portion comprises a rounded bottom in the toe portion.

22. The shoe of claim 2, wherein the pair of cordings are held in place in the pair of slots when the shoe is worn on a foot by a forward and/or upward pressure of the foot on the at least one strap of the upper portion.

23. The shoe of claim 22, wherein in the absence of forward and/or upward pressure on the at least one strap of the upper portion, the pair of cordings are not held in place.

24. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the base portion is a left foot base portion or a right foot base portion, and the upper portion is a left foot upper portion or a right foot base portion, wherein the right foot upper portion is configured to be attached to the right foot base portion and the left foot upper portion is configured to be attached to the left foot base portion, preferably wherein each upper portion comprises a marking to indicate whether the upper portion is a left foot upper portion or a right foot upper portion.