U.S. patent application number 13/570222 was filed with the patent office on 2014-02-13 for shoe makeover system and method.
The applicant listed for this patent is David Christopher Robinson. Invention is credited to David Christopher Robinson.
Application Number | 20140041257 13/570222 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50065083 |
Filed Date | 2014-02-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140041257 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Robinson; David
Christopher |
February 13, 2014 |
SHOE MAKEOVER SYSTEM AND METHOD
Abstract
A changeable shoe can convert between various functions
depending on the user's style or activity needs. The shoe can
include a removable sole or heel that can change the shoe from a
walking shoe to a cleated shoe for a particular activity, for
example. The shoe can include a removable heel where a user can
adjust between higher or lower length heels. The shoe can also
include covers that can change the exterior of the shoe from, for
example, a standard shoe, to a boot, to a laced up boot, and the
like. The removable sole and/or heel can attach to the shoe base in
various manners, such as with a hook and loop fastener, or with a
locking pin and/or tab, or the like.
Inventors: |
Robinson; David Christopher;
(LAUREL, MD) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Robinson; David Christopher |
LAUREL |
MD |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
50065083 |
Appl. No.: |
13/570222 |
Filed: |
August 8, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/100 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 3/244 20130101;
A43B 13/36 20130101; A43B 1/0081 20130101; A43B 3/246 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/100 |
International
Class: |
A43B 3/24 20060101
A43B003/24 |
Claims
1. A changeable shoe comprising: a shoe bottom having an
attachment/release mechanism; and a shoe sole operable to removably
attach to the shoe bottom.
2. The changeable shoe of claim 1, wherein the shoe bottom has a
hook or loop fastener material and the shoe sole has a
corresponding, mating hook or loop fastener material.
3. The changeable shoe of claim 2, wherein the shoe bottom has a
soft loop material and the shoe sole has a hard hook material.
4. The changeable shoe of claim 1, wherein the attachment/release
mechanism is a sole release/lock button.
5. The changeable shoe of claim 1, wherein the shoe sole includes a
shoe heel, wherein the shoe heel is removable attached to the shoe
bottom.
6. A changeable shoe comprising: a shoe; a cover adapted to fit
about the shoe and operable to transform the shoe from a first
style shoe to a second style shoe.
7. The changeable shoe of claim 6, wherein the second style of shoe
includes a lace-up shoe.
8. The changeable shoe of claim 6, wherein the second style of shoe
includes a boot.
9. A changeable shoe comprising: a shoe bottom having an area for
attaching a shoe heel; and a shoe heel operable to removably attach
to the shoe bottom.
10. The changeable shoe of claim 9, wherein the shoe bottom has a
hook or loop fastener material and the shoe heel has a
corresponding, mating hook or loop fastener material.
11. The changeable shoe of claim 10, wherein the shoe bottom has a
soft loop material and the shoe heel has a hard hook material.
12. The changeable shoe of claim 9, wherein the attachment/release
mechanism is a sole release/lock button.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to methods and systems for
changing shoes and, more particularly, to methods and systems for
converting shoes to adapt them for use in various activities.
[0002] Typically, users have different shoes for different
activities and uses. For example, athletic shoes may have different
type cleats for different sports, or may have different soles for
different activities. Women's shoes may be designed with or without
heels and shoes may be available as a boot, with or without laces,
in different lengths from over the ankle to knee high, and the
like.
[0003] Purchasing new shoes, such as heels, dress shoes, athletic
shoes boots, and the like, can be very expensive. Many times, users
have to discard damaged and dingy shoes that have perfectly good
soles and/or heels. Also, athletes often need to buy sporting
cleats for every type of sport on every type of field and/or turf
for that appropriate sport. Finally, when traveling, having to take
a variety of shoes can take up space in baggage, which can be at a
premium as people try to fit their travel needs into a carry-on
bag.
[0004] Field conditions often change in sporting events, due to
Mother Nature (rain, snow, loose turf and grass, and the like),
therefore one must have an adaptable shoe or sole during sporting
event. For example, longer cleat bottoms for snow and mud, but more
rubbery soles for wet turf to soak up excess water when competing.
In tennis, which can be played on dirt, grass or clay asphalt and
conditions of those surfaces can change in later sets and games.
There is currently no way to change the type of shoe without
putting on a completely different pair of shoes. On professional
basketball surfaces, for example, gym wood sweats with condensation
later in the game. A slip by a player who turns the ball over can
be the difference between an NBA championship, which can mean
millions to billions in potential team franchise revenues. There is
no way to quickly refresh one's shoes, again, without having to
purchase, carry and change into a completely different/new pair of
shoes.
[0005] As can be seen, there is a need for an improved system and
method for interchanging shoe components to provide shoes of
different styles and/or functions from a single base shoe.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In one aspect of the present invention, a changeable shoe
comprises a shoe bottom having an attachment/release mechanism; and
a shoe sole operable to removably attach to the shoe bottom.
[0007] In another aspect of the present invention, a changeable
shoe comprises a shoe; a cover adapted to fit about the shoe and
operable to transform the shoe from a first style shoe to a second
style shoe.
[0008] In a further aspect of the present invention, a changeable
shoe comprises a shoe bottom having an area for attaching a shoe
heel; and a shoe heel operable to removably attach to the shoe
bottom.
[0009] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the
present invention will become better understood with reference to
the following drawings, description and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a changeable shoe according
to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective exploded view of the
changeable shoe of FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective exploded view of the
changeable shoe of FIG. 1, showing an alternate sole being applied
thereto;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a side view of the changeable shoe of FIG. 3 with
the alternate sole applied thereto;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a detailed cross-sectional view as taken along
line 5-5 of FIG. 1, showing the sole in an attached state;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a detailed cross-sectional view as taken along
line 5-5 of FIG. 1, showing the sole in a partially attached state,
showing a "rip and peel" configuration of the sole;
[0016] FIG. 7 is a side view changeable shoe according to another
exemplary embodiment of the present invention, where a sole
release/lock button can be used to release and/or lock the sole in
position on the shoe;
[0017] FIG. 8 is a side view of the changeable shoe of FIG. 7,
showing the removal of the sole therefrom;
[0018] FIG. 9 is a side view of the changeable shoe of FIG. 7,
showing an alternate sole being attached thereto;
[0019] FIG. 10 is a side view of the changeable shoe of FIG. 7,
showing the alternate sole locked in position on the shoe;
[0020] FIG. 11 is a side view of a shoe lace cover for a shoe,
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 12 is a side view of a shoe slip-on cover for a shoe,
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 13 is a side exploded view of a shoe with a removable
heel having a rip and peel configuration, according to an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 14 is a side exploded view of a shoe with a locking
removable heel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention; and
[0024] FIG. 15 is a side view of a shoe with an adjustable height
heel, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0025] The following detailed description is of the best currently
contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the
invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense,
but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general
principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is
best defined by the appended claims.
[0026] Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a
changeable shoe that can convert between various functions. The
shoe can include a removable sole or heel that can change the shoe
from a walking shoe to a cleated shoe for a particular activity,
for example. The sole can be changed quickly and easily to match
the current needs of the user. The shoe can include a removable
heel where a user can adjust between higher or lower length heels.
The shoe can also include covers that can change the exterior of
the shoe from, for example, a standard shoe, to a boot, to a laced
up boot, and the like. The removable sole and/or heel can attach to
the shoe base in various manners, such as with a hook and loop
fastener, or with a locking pin and/or tab, or the like.
[0027] Referring to FIG. 1, a changeable shoe 10 can include an
initial sole 12 that can be taken off and replaced as desired. As
shown in FIG. 2, the initial sole 12 can be removed by pulling on
one or more tabs 16 extending from the initial sole 12 and pull the
initial sole 12 off the hook and loop fastening material (such as
loop material) 20 disposed on the bottom of the shoe 10.
[0028] As shown in FIG. 3, a secondary sole 14 can be placed on the
shoe 10, resulting in a shoe having a different sole, as shown in
FIG. 4. The secondary sole 14 can be, for example, a cleated sole
for an athletic event, replacing the initial sole 10, which could
be a regular, day-to-day use sole, for example.
[0029] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the initial sole 12 can be
attached with loop 20 and hook 22 fastening material, such as
Velcro.RTM.. While FIGS. 5 and 6 show the loop material 20 on the
shoe 10 and the loop material 22 on the sole 12, the reverse
configuration may be possible. In some embodiments, the loop
material 20 may be a soft loop material while the hook material 22
may be a hard hook material.
[0030] Referring now to FIGS. 7 through 10, a changeable shoe 10
can include a sole release/lock button 18 that can be depressed to
unlock the initial sole 12, allowing it to be slid off, as shown in
FIG. 8. The secondary sole 14 can then be slid in the initial
sole's place, as shown in FIG. 9. The mechanism for sliding the
sole on and off can be various mechanisms for removably attaching
components together. For example, a slot can be provided in the
shoe, where one or more tabs on the sole 12, 14 can be inserted and
locked into the slot. Of course, other mechanisms can be used and
are contemplated within the scope of the present invention.
[0031] As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, a female shoe 24 can be changed
by various methods. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, a female shoe
lace cover 26 can be disposed over the shoe 24 to provide a lace-up
look. As shown in FIG. 12, a shoe slip-on cover 28 can be used to
provide a tall boot look, for example. Other styles of covers may
be used to create different looks, all with using the same shoe 24
as the base.
[0032] As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, instead of an entire sole of a
shoe, in some embodiments of the present invention, a high heel
shoe 30 can have a removable heel 32. The removable heel 32 can
attach similar to the embodiments of the removable sole described
above. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, the heel 32 can attach
with hook material 22 and loop material 20. In other embodiments, a
removable heel 34 can attach and be removed with a sole
release/lock button 18. The heel 32, 34 can be different heights to
change the heel size of the shoe easily, without requiring the user
to own multiple pairs of heeled shoes. As shown in FIG. 15, an
adjustable height heel 38 can be provided on the shoe 30. The
adjustable height heel 38 can create multiple heights for the heel
38.
[0033] It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing
relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that
modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.
* * * * *