U.S. patent application number 14/712906 was filed with the patent office on 2016-11-17 for convertible shoe.
The applicant listed for this patent is Katherine Alfaro Li, Tony Li. Invention is credited to Katherine Alfaro Li, Tony Li.
Application Number | 20160331063 14/712906 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 57276359 |
Filed Date | 2016-11-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160331063 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Li; Tony ; et al. |
November 17, 2016 |
Convertible Shoe
Abstract
A convertible shoe comprising a flexible toe box, capable of
being worn in closed toe mode or open toe mode. The flexible toe
box covers the wearer's toes in closed toe mode. When worn in open
toe mode, the flexible toe box is flattened such that the wearer
steps on the top of the flexible toe box, and the wearer's toes are
exposed. A toe catch button is utilized to assist in allowing the
convertible shoe to be worn conveniently in open toe mode. The toe
catch button attaches to at least the insole of the shoe via a toe
catch shaft. When worn, the toe catch shaft goes between the
wearer's first and second toes. When worn in open toe mode, the toe
catch button is directly above the wearer's first and second toes
to provide adequate holding of the shoe when walking.
Inventors: |
Li; Tony; (Berkeley, CA)
; Li; Katherine Alfaro; (Berkeley, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Li; Tony
Li; Katherine Alfaro |
Berkeley
Berkeley |
CA
CA |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
57276359 |
Appl. No.: |
14/712906 |
Filed: |
May 14, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 3/12 20130101; A43B
23/088 20130101; A43B 3/105 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A43B 3/24 20060101
A43B003/24; A43B 23/08 20060101 A43B023/08; A43B 1/02 20060101
A43B001/02; A43B 3/12 20060101 A43B003/12 |
Claims
1. A convertible shoe comprising: a flexible toe box, covering a
wearer's toes when worn in a closed toe mode and said flexible toe
box flattened with the wearer's toes on top of said flexible toe
box when worn in an open toe mode; an insole; a toe catch button
directly above said flexible toe box when worn in said closed toe
mode, and said toe catch button directly above said wearer's first
and second toes when worn in said open toe mode; a toe catch shaft
opening in said flexible toe box; and a toe catch shaft, attaching
said toe catch button to said insole, wherein said toe catch shaft
is within said toe catch shaft opening and said toe catch shaft
remains elevated in both said closed toe mode and said open toe
mode, such that said toe catch shaft goes between said wearer's
first and second toes.
2. The convertible shoe of claim 1 further comprising of a
counter.
3. The convertible shoe of claim 2 wherein said flexible toe box is
comprised of patent leather.
4. The convertible shoe of claim 2 wherein said flexible toe box is
comprised of PU leather.
5. The convertible shoe of claim 3 wherein said toe catch shaft is
comprised of stitched leather.
6. The convertible shoe of claim 4 wherein said toe catch shaft is
comprised of stitched leather.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates generally to footwear, and more
particularly, to a convertible shoe.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Shoes come in a variety of styles. One of the more popular
styles is the closed toe flats. These are also known as closed toe
sandals or closed toe shoes. These closed toe shoes are known to
have a toe box for covering the toes of the person wearing the
shoe. The closed toe shoe may have a counter to offer additional
support for the wearer.
[0005] Another popular style is the flip flop. A flip flop
generally exposes the wearer's toes, and are generally work in more
casual situation. They usually consist of a flat sole loosely held
by a Y-shaped strap that passes between the first and second toes
and around either side of the foot. The flip flop is an example of
an open toe shoe, as the wearer's toes are open and exposed.
[0006] There are occasions when a closed toe shoe is more
appropriate than an open toe shoe. In other situations, there is
the desire to wear open toe shoe for comfort and to allow the toes
to be breathable. There is thus a desire to have a shoe that allows
the wearer to have the option of wearing a shoe as an closed toe
style or an open toe style, without needing to carry two pairs of
shoes.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] A convertible shoe capable of converting between the closed
toe mode and open toe mode is described herein. In a preferred
embodiment, the convertible shoe has a toe box, a toe catch button,
a toe catch shaft, and a counter. The convertible shoe can be
converted from a closed toe shoe to an open toe shoe by flattening
the flexible toe box such that the toe catch shaft and toe catch
button remain elevated. The wearer may step on the flattened toe
box and insert the toe catch shaft between the first and second
toes.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of
the advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes
better understood by reference to the detailed description when
considered in connection with the accompanying drawings,
wherein:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a
convertible shoe in closed toe mode.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a
convertible shoe in open toe mode.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a side view of an embodiment of a convertible shoe
in closed toe mode.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a side view of an embodiment of a convertible shoe
in open toe mode.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a person wearing an
embodiment of a convertible shoe in closed toe mode.
[0014] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a person wearing an
embodiment of a convertible shoe in open toe mode.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] FIGS. 1-6 present a preferred embodiment of a convertible
shoe. The convertible shoe can convert between a closed toe style
shoe and an open toe style shoe. In FIG. 1, the convertible shoe is
in the closed toe mode. The convertible shoe is comprised of a toe
box 120, insole 120, counter 140, and toe catch button 130. As
would be expected, the convertible shoe also has an outsole. In
some embodiments, the convertible shoe may have a midsole or
multiple midsoles to improve comfort. In one embodiment, the insole
is made of layered foam.
[0016] FIG. 2 shoes the preferred embodiment of the convertible
shoe in open toe mode. As shown, the toe box 120 is capable of
being flattened, while the toe catch button 130 remains elevated.
The toe box 120 is made of a material that is easily bendable, and
will fold as necessary to be able to lay fairly flat over the
insole. In one embodiment, the toe box is made of patent leather or
PU (polyurethane) leather. This material offers a glossy finish,
which may be desirable for ease of cleaning.
[0017] A toe catch shaft 150 attaches the toe catch button 130 to
the shoe. The toe catch shaft 150 allows for the toe catch button
130 to remain elevated when the toe box 120 is flattened. A toe
catch shaft opening 160 in the toe box 120 allows the toe box to
move up and down along the toe catch shaft 150, allowing for the
toe catch shaft to remain upright, whether the toe box is flatted
or not. In one embodiment, the toe catch shaft is made of stitched
leather, with stitching points towards the front of the shoe for
comfort.
[0018] FIG. 3 shows a side view of the convertible shoe in closed
toe mode. The toe catch shaft extends from the toe catch button 130
to at least the insole 110. FIG. 4 shows a side view of the
convertible shoe in open toe mode.
[0019] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a person wearing a preferred
embodiment of a convertible shoe in closed toe mode. As shown, the
wearer's toes go under the toe box, and the toes are not exposed.
The toe catch shaft goes between the wearer's first and second toes
underneath the toe box 120. The toe catch button 130 has upward
force applied to it by the toe box 120, and causes the toe catch
shaft to stay fairly rigid between the wearer's first and second
toes.
[0020] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a
convertible shoe being worn in open toe mode. The wearer steps on
the toe box 120 to flatten it, and slides the toe catch shaft in
between the first and second toes. The toe catch button 130 sits
above the first and second toe and in combination with the counter
140, holds the shoe in place on the wearer's foot.
[0021] Although the present invention has been described in detail
with respect to certain embodiments and examples, variations and
modifications exist which are within the scope of the present
invention as defined in the following claims.
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