U.S. patent application number 10/976538 was filed with the patent office on 2005-03-17 for shoe having a variety of lacing styles.
Invention is credited to Yu, Zu Sheng.
Application Number | 20050055844 10/976538 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33309450 |
Filed Date | 2005-03-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050055844 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yu, Zu Sheng |
March 17, 2005 |
Shoe having a variety of lacing styles
Abstract
An article of footwear comprises a sole, a shoe top having at
least one of a toe portion and a heel portion wherein the shoe top
is attached to the sole, and a shoe lip having a plurality of holes
disposed between the sole and the shoe top.
Inventors: |
Yu, Zu Sheng; (Huntington,
NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
F. CHAU & ASSOCIATES, LLC
130 WOODBURY ROAD
WOODBURY
NY
11797
US
|
Family ID: |
33309450 |
Appl. No.: |
10/976538 |
Filed: |
October 30, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10976538 |
Oct 30, 2004 |
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10402713 |
Mar 28, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
36/19R |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 9/02 20130101; A43B
1/0036 20130101; A43B 3/0005 20130101; A43B 17/18 20130101; A43B
1/0072 20130101; A43C 1/00 20130101; A43B 13/36 20130101; A43B
3/001 20130101; A43B 3/126 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
036/019.00R |
International
Class: |
A43B 009/02; A43B
013/28 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An article of footwear comprising: a sole; a shoe top having at
least one of a toe portion and a heel portion, wherein the shoe top
is attached to the sole; and a shoe lip having a plurality of holes
disposed between the sole and the shoe top.
2. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the shoe lip
includes means for removably attaching to the sole.
3. The article of footwear of claim 2, wherein the means for
attaching includes a tongue for fitting into a groove between the
sole and the shoe top.
4. The article of footwear of claim 1, further comprising a lace
for extending through at least a plurality of holes to wrap around
any portion of the wearer's toes, foot, ankle, calf, and leg in a
plurality of decorative styles.
5. An article of footwear comprising: a first sole including a
first lip provided along its perimeter; a second sole including a
second lip provided along its perimeter; a plurality of holes
disposed along the lip of the first sole and a plurality of holes
disposed along the lip of the second sole, wherein the first lip
and the second lip are dimensioned and shaped to form at least a
plurality of channels from the holes of the first lip and the
second lip; and a lace for extending through at least a plurality
of channels to attach the first sole to the second sole.
6. The article of footwear of claim 5, further comprising a shoe
top having at least one of a toe portion, a heel portion, and an
instep portion, wherein the shoe top is attached to the first
sole.
7. The article of footwear of claim 5, further comprising a first
shoe top attached to the first sole and a second shoe top attached
to a third sole, wherein the second sole is attached to one of the
first and the third sole using the lace.
8. The article of footwear of claim 5, wherein the first sole and
the second sole are made from different materials.
9. The article of footwear of claim 6, wherein the lace strings
through the first lip, the second lip, and above the shoe top.
10. The article of footwear of claim 5, wherein the second sole is
thicker than the first sole.
11. The article of footwear of claim 5, wherein a material of the
second sole is rubber.
12. The article of footwear of claim 5, further including affixing
decorative articles onto the lace.
13. The article of footwear of claim 12, wherein the decorative
articles include one of jewelry, colored plastics, and pieces of
leather.
14. An article of footwear comprising: a first sole including a
first lip provided along its perimeter; a second sole including a
second lip provided along its perimeter; a plurality of holes
spaced apart and disposed along the first lip and the second lip;
and a lace for extending through any combination of the plurality
of holes to attach the first sole to the second sole.
15. The article of footwear of claim 14, further comprising a shoe
top having at least one of a toe portion, a heel portion, and an
instep portion, wherein the shoe top is attached to the first
sole.
16. The article of footwear of claim 14, further comprising a first
shoe top attached to the first sole and a second shoe top attached
to a third sole, wherein the second sole is attached to one of the
first and the third sole using the lace.
17. The article of footwear of claim 14, wherein the first sole and
the second sole are made from different materials.
18. The article of footwear of claim 15, wherein the lace strings
through the first lip, the second lip, and above the shoe top.
19. The article of footwear of claim 14, wherein the second sole is
thicker than the first sole.
20. The article of footwear of claim 14, wherein a material of the
second sole is rubber.
21. The article of footwear of claim 14, further including affixing
decorative articles onto the lace.
22. The article of footwear of claim 21, wherein the decorative
articles include one of jewelry, colored plastics, and pieces of
leather.
23. A shoe lip for attachment to a shoe having at least a top
portion and a sole, the shoe lip comprising a plurality of holes
spaced apart from each other and a tongue portion for insertingly
fitting a groove between the sole and the shoe top.
24. The shoe lip of claim 23, wherein the tongue portion further
includes adhesive material for affixing the shoe lip to the shoe.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION DATA
[0001] This present application is a continuation-in-part of
commonly assigned application Ser. No. 10/402,713, filed on Mar.
28, 2003, the disclosure of which in its entirety is incorporated
by reference herein.
1. TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates generally to footwear, and
more specifically, to shoes having a plurality of channels used for
attaching an upper sole and a lower sole to form a shoe.
2. DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART
[0003] Footwear includes a shoe top and a sole. The shoe top is
securely attached to the sole. Generally, the shoe top wraps around
some or all of a wearer's foot. The wearer's foot is typically held
in place by shoelaces. Soles are generally formed of a cushioning
material. Because the shoe top is fixedly attached to the sole, the
entire footwear needs to be replaced when the soles are worn, the
shoe top is defaced or damaged, or if the wearer grows tired of the
look or style of the shoe. In certain circumstances, a shoe wearer
may want to have a different thickness of sole, a different style,
or a different material of upper and/or lower portions. Being not
detachable, replacement of the entire shoe is the typical
solution.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In one exemplary embodiment of the invention, an article of
footwear comprises a first sole including a first lip provided
along its perimeter, a second sole including a second lip provided
along its perimeter, a plurality of holes disposed along the lip of
the first sole and a plurality of holes disposed along the lip of
the second sole, wherein the first lip and the second lip are
dimensioned and shaped to form at least a plurality of channels
from the holes of the first lip and the second lip, and a lace for
extending through at least a plurality of channels to attach the
first sole to the second sole.
[0005] In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, an article
of footwear comprises a first sole including a first lip provided
along its perimeter, a second sole including a second lip provided
along its perimeter, a plurality of holes spaced apart and disposed
along the first lip and the second lip, and a lace for extending
through any combination of the plurality of holes to attach the
first sole to the second sole.
[0006] The article of footwear further comprises a shoe top having
at least one of a toe portion, a heel portion, and an instep
portion, wherein the shoe top is attached to the first sole. A
first shoe top is attached to the first sole and a second shoe top
is attached to a third sole. The second sole is attached to one of
the first and the third sole using the lace. The first sole and the
second sole are made from different materials. The lace strings
through the first lip, the second lip, and above the shoe top. The
second sole is thicker than the first sole. A material of the
second sole is rubber.
[0007] In still another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, an article of footwear comprises a sole, a shoe top
having at least one of a toe portion and a heel portion, wherein
the shoe top is attached to the sole, and a shoe lip having a
plurality of holes disposed between the sole and the shoe top. The
shoe lip includes means for removably attaching to the sole. The
means for attaching includes a tongue for fitting into a groove
between the sole and the shoe top. The article of footwear further
comprises a lace for extending through at least a plurality of
holes to wrap around any portion of the wearer's toes, foot, ankle,
calf, and leg in a plurality of decorative styles.
[0008] In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a
shoe lip for attachment to a shoe having at least a top portion and
a sole comprises a plurality of holes spaced apart from each other
and a tongue portion for insertingly fitting a groove between the
sole and the shoe top. The tongue portion further includes adhesive
material for affixing the shoe lip to the shoe.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is an exemplary illustration of a sandal according to
an embodiment of the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 is an exemplary illustration of a lace according to
an embodiment of the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 3A is an exemplary illustration of a side view of
layers of a sole of a sandal according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0012] FIG. 3B is an exemplary illustration of a channel
incorporated into a sole locking mechanism according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 4 is an exemplary illustration of a top view of a
sandal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 5 is an illustration of a shoe according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 6 is an illustration of a shoe according to another
exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0016] With reference now to the Figures, the illustration of FIG.
1 depicts an example of a sandal 100 according to an embodiment of
the present invention. In general, sandal 100 comprises a sole 102
having a plurality of redirection holes 104, grooves 106, and rings
108 for stringing a lace 110. The lace 110 is preferably a
transparent plastic tube having a first end 112 and a second end
114, but can comprise any flexible material. The sole 102 can
further include a top layer 116 and a bottom layer 118. The
plurality of redirection holes 104 can further be provided between
the top layer 116 and the bottom layer 118. The top layer 116 and
the bottom layer 118 can be connected together. In still another
embodiment according to the present invention, the plurality of
redirection holes 104, grooves 106, and rings 108 can string more
than one lace (not shown).
[0017] Referring to FIG. 2, in a preferred embodiment a lace 210
includes lights 212 within its interior surface that can flash or
remain constantly illuminated, for decorative purposes. The lace
210 also includes a power supply 214, for example, a battery, that
provides electric current to the lights using an electrically
conductive material 216 within the interior surface of the lace
that is connected to the lights 212 and power supply 214 to form an
electric circuit. The power supply 214 can be positioned behind an
electrically conductive female connector 218 affixed to the first
end of the lace 210 that can be coupled to an electrically
conductive male connector 220 affixed to the second end of the lace
210, thereby completing the electric circuit. The lace 210 can
further have a plurality of connectors and power supplies (not
shown). In another embodiment according to the present invention,
the lace includes an adjusting mechanism 222 that adjusts the
length of the lace for a comfortable fit of the sandal on the
wearer's foot.
[0018] Referring to FIG. 3A, in a preferred embodiment according to
the present invention, the sole comprises a plurality of layers. A
first layer 302 that is in contact with a wearer's foot and a
second layer 304 that is in contact with a surface. The first layer
302 having at least one of a plurality of redirection rings for
stringing at least one of a plurality of laces and the second layer
304 having at plurality of redirection holes and grooves for
stringing at least one of a plurality of laces, as illustrated in
FIG. 1. Again referencing FIG. 3A, the first layer 302 and the
second layer 304 are affixed to each other using a locking
mechanism. The locking mechanism is preferably comprised of a
plurality of tongues 308 arranged on the first layer 302 and a
plurality of grooves 310 arranged on the second layer, wherein the
plurality of tongues 308 and the plurality of grooves 310 are
arranged oppositely to each other such that the plurality of
tongues 308 interlock with the plurality of grooves 310 when
pressed together. As shown in FIG. 3B, the locking mechanism can
further include a channel 312 for stringing a lace thereby hiding
the lace from view and obtaining a seamless connection between the
first layer 302 and second layer 304. Additionally, any number of
layers of soles can be affixed together to obtain a more
comfortable fit of the sandal on a wearer's foot.
[0019] Referring to FIG. 4, a top view of a sandal is illustrated
according to an embodiment of the present invention. The lace 404
can include a moveable anti-friction pad 402 positioned over the
lace 404 to prevent irritation of a wearer's skin arising from
friction of the lace 404 against the skin. The anti-friction pad
402 further includes a plurality of securing devices 406 used to
movably affix the anti-friction pad 402 to the lace 404.
[0020] Further illustrated are a plurality of electrically
conductive connectors 408 (both male and female shown in a
connected position) and a plurality of power supplies 410. The
electrically conductive connectors 408, the power supplies 410, and
a plurality of illumination devices 412 provided within the
interior surface of the lace 404, are connected using a
electrically conductive material 414 also provided within the
interior surface of the lace 404. The lace 404 is strung through a
plurality of redirection holes 416, grooves (not shown), and rings
418 that are provided on the perimeter, on a top surface, and
within an interior surface (not shown) of a sole 420, thereby
forming a receptacle to secure the sole 420 to a wearer's foot. The
receptacle formed serves as a top portion of a shoe.
[0021] When securing the sandal to a foot, any combination of
redirection holes 416, grooves, and rings 418 can be used for
stringing the lace 404. Additionally, in conjunction with using any
combination of redirection holes 416, grooves, and rings 418, to
secure the sandal to the foot, the lace can be wrapped around any
portion of the wearer's toes, foot, ankle, calf, and leg in a
plurality of decorative styles. Obtaining a plurality of decorative
styles from a single pair of sandals advantageously increases the
marketability of the sandal.
[0022] The illustration of FIG. 5 depicts a shoe 500 according to
an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The shoe 500
comprises an upper portion 520 and a lower portion 530. The upper
portion 520 includes an upper sole 510 and a shoe top which
comprises a heel portion 506, a toe portion 507, and an instep
portion 508. The shoe top is fixedly attached to the upper sole
510. The upper sole 510 has a lip with a plurality of holes 501
which are spaced apart and disposed around its perimeter. The lower
portion 530 comprises a lower sole 511 formed of a cushioning
material. The lower sole 511 has a lip with a plurality of holes
503 which are spaced apart and disposed around its perimeter. In
general, the upper sole 510 is in contact with a wearer's foot and
the lower sole 511 is in contact with a surface.
[0023] In one exemplary embodiment, the upper sole 520 and the
lower sole 530 are dimensioned and shaped so that at least a
plurality of holes of the upper sole 520 and the lower sole 530
match to form a channel through which lace 513 can be strung to tie
together the upper sole 520 and the lower sole 530.
[0024] In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a
shoe wearer may use a different thickness, a different color,
and/or a different material of either the upper or lower portion.
The shoe wearer may change a style of a shoe, for example, by
replacing the upper sole with another sole having an attached shoe
top. The new sole with shoe top may have a different shoe top with
a completely different style, or different toe portion or heel
portion, or by a different thickness and/or a different color of
sole. For example, a rubber bottom sole can be used for wearing in
slippery conditions.
[0025] The lace 505 is preferably a transparent plastic tube having
a first end 513 and a second end 514, but can comprise any flexible
material. Details of the lace 505 are same with the details of the
lace 210 described in FIG. 2. The lace 505 additionally secures the
soles 510 and 511 to wearer's foot. In another exemplary embodiment
of the present invention, the holes 501 and 503 can string more
than one lace.
[0026] When securing the upper sole 510 to the lower sole 511, any
combination of holes 501 and 503 can be used for stringing the lace
505. In conjunction with using any combination of holes 501 and 503
to secure the upper sole to the lower sole, the lace can be wrapped
around any portion of the wearer's toes, foot, ankle, calf, and leg
in a plurality of decorative styles. In such case, the shoe can be
worn without the shoe top. In addition, to obtain a plurality of
decorative styles, jewelry, colored plastics, or pieces of leather
can be removably affixed to the lace 505.
[0027] The illustration of FIG. 6 depicts a shoe 600 according to
another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The shoe 600
comprises a sole 630, a shoe top, and a shoe lip 610. The shoe top
comprises a heel portion 506, a toe portion 507, and an instep
portion 508. The shoe top is fixedly attached to the sole 630. The
shoe lip 610 has a plurality of holes 603 which are disposed spaced
apart from each other. The shoe lip 610 can be removably attached
to the shoe 600, in a space between the sole 630 and the shoe top.
As shown, a tongue and groove system, with the shoe lip 610 having
a tongue portion 640 for insertingly fitting into the `groove`
between the sole 630 and the shoe top. The tongue and groove system
facilitates ease of adding the shoe lip 610 to existing shoes.
Alternatively, the shoe lip 610 can be glued into existing shoes by
an adhesive.
[0028] In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention,
any connecting system, which is easy to attach and remove the shoe
lip 610 from the sole 630, can be used. The magnified circles in
FIG. 6 show exemplary shapes of the shoe lip 610. The shoe lip 610
may be formed of an elastic material such as, for example, plastic,
leather or rubber. The sole 630 may be formed of a cushioning
material.
[0029] Although illustrative embodiments of the present invention
have been described herein with reference to the accompanying
drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited
to those precise embodiments, and that various other changes and
modifications may be affected therein by one skilled in the art
without departing from the scope or spirit of the present
invention.
* * * * *