U.S. patent application number 14/319771 was filed with the patent office on 2015-01-01 for convertible shoe and sandal with reversible top.
The applicant listed for this patent is Ana Clemencia Calvo, Juan David Giraldo. Invention is credited to Ana Clemencia Calvo, Juan David Giraldo.
Application Number | 20150000160 14/319771 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52114211 |
Filed Date | 2015-01-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150000160 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Giraldo; Juan David ; et
al. |
January 1, 2015 |
CONVERTIBLE SHOE AND SANDAL WITH REVERSIBLE TOP
Abstract
A convertible article of footwear has an upper outer component
with a reversible exterior shell, an inner sandal base and means
for repeatedly connecting and disconnecting these two main
components to one another with either outer shell exposed. When
connected by a zipper or other joinder, the parts form a whole
outer shoe for sports, casual or other uses. When kept apart, or
separated into main component elements, the user can wear the
underlying sandal as a stand-alone footwear item.
Inventors: |
Giraldo; Juan David; (Miami,
FL) ; Calvo; Ana Clemencia; (Albuquerque,
NM) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Giraldo; Juan David
Calvo; Ana Clemencia |
Miami
Albuquerque |
FL
NM |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
52114211 |
Appl. No.: |
14/319771 |
Filed: |
June 30, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61840851 |
Jun 28, 2013 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/101 ;
36/45 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 3/242 20130101;
A43B 3/244 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/101 ;
36/45 |
International
Class: |
A43B 3/24 20060101
A43B003/24; A43B 23/02 20060101 A43B023/02 |
Claims
1. A convertible article of footwear comprising: a primary upper
component that includes a shell resembling a first shoe model and
that reverses to reveal a shell resembling a second shoe model; an
inner sandal component that can also be worn separately, and means
for joining the inner sandal to the primary upper component in a
manner that allows for subsequent separation and rejoinder.
2. The convertible footwear article of claim 1 which, when joined
together forms at least one sports or athletic shoe model.
3. The convertible footwear article of claim 2 which forms a sports
or athletic shoe of a first color, and then a sports or athletic
shoe of a second color when reversed.
4. The convertible footwear article of claim 1 which, when joined
together forms at least one casual shoe model.
5. The convertible footwear article of claim 1 wherein said sandal
component includes a secondary means for fastening to said primary
upper component.
6. The convertible footwear article of claim 1 wherein said joining
means includes a zipper that extends about a majority of an outer
perimeter of the sandal component.
7. The convertible footwear article of claim 6 wherein said zipper
extends about the entire sandal outer perimeter.
8. The convertible footwear article of claim 1 wherein said sandal
is adapted for receiving multiple upper outer component colors or
designs.
9. The convertible footwear article of claim 1 wherein said sandal
is adapted for receiving multiple upper outer component shapes and
end uses.
10. A sandal for removable insertion in and connection to a primary
upper component that can be reversed to form multiple, convertible
shoe varieties, said sandal comprising: a base; a bridge extending
over the base towards a toe end of a user/wearer, said bridge
connecting at or near opposite sides of the base; and means for
repeatedly connecting the base to its primary upper component in
one of two exterior directions.
11. The removable sandal of claim 10 which further includes a
secondary means for connecting to an interior of the primary upper
component.
12. The removable sandal of claim 10 wherein said connecting means
includes a zipper element.
13. The removable sandal of claim 12 wherein said zipper element
extends about a majority of an outer perimeter of the sandal
base.
14. The removable sandal of claim 13 wherein said zipper element
extends about the entire perimeter of the sandal base.
15. A reversible upper shoe component for repeatedly connecting to
and over an independently wearable sandal component, said upper
shoe component including: a shell resembling a first shoe model
that, when reversed, resembles a second shoe model; and means for
connecting to the sandal component.
16. The upper shoe component of claim 15 wherein the first shoe
model is a sports or athletic shoe in a first print or color.
17. The upper shoe component of claim 16 wherein the second shoe
model is a sports or athletic shoe in a second print or color.
18. The upper shoe component of claim 16 wherein the second shoe
model is a casual shoe.
19. The upper shoe component of claim 15 wherein said connecting
means includes a zipper element.
20. The upper shoe component of claim 15, which further includes
secondary means for connecting to a top bridge of the sandal
component.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 61/840,851, filed on Jun. 28, 2013, the
disclosure of which is fully incorporated by reference herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to footwear. More
specifically, this invention relates to a shoe that can be
converted from one form of footwear to another and back. With such
interchangeability, it is possible to sell multiple colors of one
component (either the top or bottom) for use with a common other
component (the bottom or top, as appropriate). More particularly,
the overshoe or top component is reversible so that really three
different shoes can be worn from one "set".
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Footwear is usually designed to meet the wearer/user's
specific needs. Casual shoes, for example, are designed for comfort
and wear during many daily activities. Sports shoes are designed
for mostly athletic activities. Sandals can be worn for active
sports and/or leisurely activities. As a result, users typically
have many different pairs of footwear for different needs.
[0004] Traveling with multiple pairs of shoes, for multiple end
uses can be an inconvenience. Accordingly, there is a need for one
article of footwear that can be easily converted between modes for
multiple purposes. More importantly, with one REVERSIBLE outer
component, it is possible to provide multiple shoe colors and/or
shoe styles with less consumed (luggage) space, etc.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] This invention provides the comfort of a shoe, with the rest
and airy freshness that a sandal can provide in a single
convertible product. It is more than the union of two concepts in
footwear, however. This system saves time, space and money.
[0006] The aforementioned product can be worn in different
environments and climates, in hot, cold or wet weather. It makes a
sports or tennis shoe from a sandal before converting back to a
sandal as needed. Better still, with reversibility, one sandal can
be used to make a first color athletic shoe, then reversed and
reattached to make a second color version. Alternately, the
reversibility can be used to show an outer athletic shoe before
inverting to a non-athletic casual shoe variety.
[0007] This system uses a zipper, Velcro.RTM., snap or other
adhesive means to join the upper unit or outer shoe to the lower
permanent sandal "frame". Preferably, a second attachment means
joins the sole interior to the outer sandal bridge for greater
security.
[0008] When the two main parts are brought together and the
perimeter zipper closed, we see a full sneaker or tennis shoe. When
unzipped apart, the upper sole separates to reveal a useable,
wearable foot sandal.
[0009] The new convertible shoes can be used as fashion-casual for
athletes, students, housewives, adults and children. It can be worn
in a variety of environments and sports.
[0010] Another aspect of the invention is a sandal for removable
insertion into a primary sports shoe overlay, the latter of which
can be swapped out for different color and/or pattern variations.
Preferably, the sandal component includes a secondary connector
means (snap, button, etc.) for further securing the overlay
component to said sandal component.
[0011] Yet another aspect concerns a method for converting a sandal
into a plurality of sports shoes. That method comprises: providing
a sandal with a removable top section/shoe cover that joins to the
sandal about its base perimeter; and situating the top section over
the sandal before connecting the two main components together.
Greater flexibility is provided with an upper outer shoe that
quickly reverses to one of two colors or shoe varieties.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0012] Further features, objectives and advantages of this
invention will become clearer when reviewing the following detailed
description made with reference to the accompanying drawings in
which:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a plan view of the outer lateral side of one
embodiment of convertible shoe for the wearer's left foot according
to the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the inner lateral side of one
embodiment of convertible shoe from FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a side plan view of the shoe from FIGS. 1 and 2
separated into its main component parts;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a top perspective view showing one preferred
embodiment in which the one shoe top is a first color exterior
(left side) but, when reversed (inside out) forms a shoe of a
second color (right side); and
[0017] FIG. 5 is a top perspective view showing one preferred
embodiment in which the one shoe top is a first type, casual
exterior (left side) but, when reversed (inside out) forms a shoe
of a second type, athletic shoe exterior (right side).
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0018] In the drawings, there is shown several embodiments of the
invention. In the accompanying drawings, common elements are
commonly numbered in the respective views. For the alternative
embodiment, common elements are consistently numbered though in the
next hundred series.
[0019] The shoe manufacturing process for this invention is only
common to known methods in that it joins upper elements to a sole.
No gluing is done, nor are any components vulcanized. Rather, the
two sides to the outer shoe (shell) are sewn together, either
manually or by machine.
[0020] Referring to FIGS. 1 through 3, there is shown a convertible
article of footwear, generally 10, that incorporates a primary
upper component 12 and a lower sandal 14 that removably inserts
into and attaches directly to that upper component. As shown,
joinder is accomplished with an all around zipper 16. The
convertible article can be worn "fully" assembled or as just a pair
of underlying sandals 14 independent of its upper components 12.
Such convertibility can prove quite handy. During travel, for
instance, a user may want to wear the fully assembled unit 10 to
the airport, but only the sandal bases 14 on a long flight.
[0021] In the FIG's, the joined/connected or assembled footwear is
depicted as a sports/athletic or "tennis" shoe. It is contemplated,
however, that an upper component-sandal combination could also
serve as a casual shoe, dress shoe, clog or even half boot. For the
sports shoe version, representative elements for that upper
component 12 are listed via the labeled elements at FIG. 2. Still
other elements may be added to or substituted for those in
alternative embodiments.
[0022] The sandal base component 14 is designed and sized to fit
into at least the lower end 18 of upper component 12. When duly
inserted and properly positioned, the wearer's foot will fit snugly
into the sandal 14 then into the shoe (i.e., upper component 12)
laid thereover.
[0023] In the FIG's, the two main components are joined by zipper
fastener 16 with one half of the zipper extending downwardly D from
the lowermost edge 18 of upper component 12 and the other zipper
half extending at least partially, if not fully, upwardly U about
the perimeter to sandal base 14 or slightly there above. Any such
protrusion of zipper components 16 cannot raise a tripping hazard
nor interfere with the wearer's comfort. Additionally, the
placement of zipper halves D, U should not prove overly obtrusive
to the overall aesthetics of the sandal 14 OR shoe proper 10. In
one embodiment, the two zipper halves can be vulcanized to their
respective main components. When pasted together in this manner, a
better sealing arrangement is configured.
[0024] For alternative embodiments, it is contemplated that the
joinder/fastener for this invention can be supplemented by or
substituted with another firmly holding connector like laces,
Velcro.RTM. strips, elastic, snaps, hooks or the like.
[0025] Preferably, one or more connectors may rise from the upper
outer bridge to the sandal component for further connecting to an
underside of the upper component interior immediately adjacent the
sandal's supplemental bridge connector. Though not shown in the
accompanying drawings, a plurality of clip/snap or other joinder
pairs should provide further securing between main components if
and when such additional connectivity is needed or desired. Like
the main joinder means (i.e., the above preferred zipper
connector), these secondary sandal bridge connectors should be
sturdy and capable of holding the upper shoe to same without being
unduly distracting or otherwise negatively impacting on the overall
aesthetic appeal of the "package".
[0026] As for the related methods of this invention, there are
several straightforward means for interchanging between sandal and
full shoe depending on the joinder method of choice employed. The
methods of conversion between models would entail bringing the
major components together for forming the combined unit; and then
reversing the steps for separating the independently wearable
sandal base from its upper shoe overlay component.
[0027] Finally, as mentioned earlier, with greater
interchangeability between component parts, it is conceivable to
provide one comfortable base sandal over which multiple
colors/designs of a sports shoe may be positioned and affixed. FIG.
4 shows a first variation in which one athletic shoe color (lined
for blue) is on a first exterior 112B (left side) but reversed and
then made reattachable in a second color (lined for green) as
component 112G.
[0028] Alternately, as per FIG. 5, the same sandal 214 can serve as
the home base for multiple shoe varieties: a sneaker or athletic
shoe 212A (right side) which, when reversed, shows a casual shoe
exterior 212C (left side). In these reversible variations, the
lacings (or shoestring ties are ornamental/artificial and should
not be used to tighten a shoe to the wearer's foot proper.
[0029] While specific embodiments of this convertible article of
footwear have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by
those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made
thereto without departing from the invention in its broader aspects
and as set forth in the following claims.
* * * * *