WO2018160760A1

WO2018160760A1 - Shoe

Info

Publication number: WO2018160760A1
Application number: PCT/US2018/020317
Authority: WO
Inventors: Emily RAY
Original assignee: Redd Oaks
Priority date: 2017-02-28
Filing date: 2018-02-28
Publication date: 2018-09-07

Abstract

A shoe including a secure, interchangeable strap is described.

Description

SHOE

PRIORITY CLAIM

[01] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/465,141, filed February 28, 2017, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[02] The exemplary embodiments of the invention relate generally to a shoe.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[03] A shoe is an important element of fashion. However, many shoes often need to be purchased by a single user to match colors and fashion styles.

SUMMARY

[04] A shoe can have an interchangeable upper to be used with a sole.

[05] In one aspect, a shoe can include at least two straps, each strap having at least two couplers system affixed to the strap; and a sole member having a top surface and an edge circumscribing the sole member, the top surface including at least two sections of at least two mating members, each mating member reversibly attaching to each coupler and each mating member being seated below the top surface into the sole member.

[06] In certain embodiments, each strap can be an open strap having two opposite ends, each opposite end including at least one of the at least two couplers. For example, wherein each coupler can be an eye and each mating member can be a hook. Each hook can be oriented away from the edge circumscribing the sole member. [07] In certain embodiments, each strap can be a closed loop strap having an outer surface including the at least two couplers. For example, each coupler can be a snap and each mating member can be a corresponding snap.

[08] In certain embodiments, one of the coupler or mating member can include a magnet.

[09] Other features and advantages of the invention are described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[10] FIGS. 1A-1F are drawings depicting an embodiment of a shoe. [11] FIG. 2 is a drawing showing a shoe system.

[12] FIGS. 3A-3D are drawings depicting an alternative embodiment of a shoe.

[13] Before the embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of "including" and "comprising" and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items and equivalents thereof. Further, the use of the term "mount," "mounted" or "mounting" is meant to broadly include any technique or method of mounting, attaching, joining or coupling one part to another, whether directly or indirectly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[14] The invention may be embodied in various forms. Referring to the Figures wherein like numerals indicate like elements, FIGS. 1A-1B depict a shoe 100 having at least two straps, or upper portions, 104 and a sole member 108. The sole member can be manufactured from leather, plastic, rubber, microfiber, wood, or the similar material. The strap or upper portion can be manufactured from fabric, leather, plastic, rubber, microfiber or similar material. The straps can be of a variety of colors and material styles such that when the straps are changed from the sole, the look of the shoe changes to match other fashion features, such as outfits, bags or other accessories. For example, the straps can be different colors or the same color on a single shoe. The configuration of the shoe does not reveal the interchangeability of the straps to the observer, leading to a more elegant and professional appearance to the shoe. In certain circumstances, higher quality materials in the straps and sole can be used while reducing the overall price per shoe because of the variability built into the shoe system.

[15] The shoe can be any style of shoe, for example, a sandal, a flip-flop, a shoe with a heel or a shoe without a heel).

[16] Referring to FIG. 1C, the shoe 100 is configured such that strap 104 includes couplers 116. The coupler 116 can be an eye of a hook and eye attachment system, as shown. One or more couplers 116 can be located at one end of strap 104 (see, for example, FIG. ID). Additional couplers can be located at the opposite end of the strap (not shown). More than one coupler can be present at an end to establish a stronger connection between the strap and the sole member 108, such as the two couplers shown at one end in this embodiment. More couplers can be present. The sole member 108 has a top surface 110 and an edge 120 circumscribing the sole member. Mating members 112 are located near the edge 120 so that the strap begins and ends at or near the edges of the sole member (see FIG. 1A or FIG. IB). When coupler 116 is an eye, as shown in this embodiment, the mating member 112 is a hook. The mating member 112 is recessed into the sole member 108 such that the edge of strap 104 contacts or nearly contacts top surface 110 when coupler 116 is attached to mating member 112. In other words, the mating member 112 is seated below the top surface 110 and into the sole member 108. Another view of the relative orientation and configuration of coupler 116, mating member 112, strap 104 and sole member 108 is shown in FIG. IE. Another view of the relative orientation and configuration of coupler 1 16, mating member 112, strap 104 and edge 120 and top surface 110 is shown in FIG. IF.

[17] The shoe can be sold as a packaged system or as separate components. For example, the package can be a "starter package" including a right shoe sole, left shoe sole and an assortment of 2-6 strap colors or styles. Referring to FIG. 2, package 150 can be include a left shoe sole 195 and a right shoe sole 196. There can be straps of a first color 160 and straps of a second color 190 removeably attached to each of the left shoe sole 195 and the right shoe sole 196. The package can include additional straps of different styles or colors, for example, straps 170 and straps 180 in the package 150. The package can include pairs of colors to increase the number of distinct shoe types and styles that can be put together by the user. For example, the package for each show can include a base and 4 straps (2 tan, 1 white, 1 pink).

[18] Another embodiment of a shoe is shown in FIGS. 3A-3D. Referring to FIGS. 3A and 2B, the sole member 208 has a top surface 210 and an edge 220 circumscribing the sole member. Mating members 212 are embedded in a recess in sole member 208 such that the mating members 212 are seated below the top surface 210 and into the sole member 208. Referring to FIG. 3C, strap 204 includes one or more couplers 216. The strap 204 is a loop. Strap 204 can be composed of a single material or can be a composite, such that the region of strap 204 including couplers 216 is composed of material that matches or is the same as the material of sole member 208. Couplers 216 and mating member 212 can be snap assemblies, such that one is a first snap member and the other is the complementary snap member. More than one coupler can be present to establish a stronger connection between the strap and the sole member. More than two couplers can be present.

[19] Referring to FIG. 3D, shoe 200 is configured such that straps 204 includes couplers 216 (not shown) that snap into mating members 212 located near the edge 220 so that the strap begins and ends at or near the edges of the sole member. Mating members 212 are in a recessed channel below top surface 210 so that the sole member is relatively even and smooth when the straps 204 are installed. In other words, the mating member 212 is seated below the top surface 210 and into the sole member 208. As with other shoes, the materials and colors can be selected to provide variable high quality fashion choices to the wearer.

[20] In certain embodiments, one of the coupler or mating member can include a magnet.

This can allow magnetism to assist in aligning and fastening the coupler to the mating member when the user is assembling the shoe together.

[21] Variations and modifications of the foregoing are within the scope of the present invention. For example, one of skill in the art will understand that multiples of the described components may be used in stores and in various configurations. The present invention is therefore not to be limited to a single system, nor the upright pusher configuration, depicted in the Figures, as the system is simply illustrative of the features, teachings and principles of the invention. It should further be understood that the invention disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text and/or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the present invention. The embodiments described herein explain the best modes known for practicing the invention and will enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention.

Claims

Claims What is claimed is:

1. A shoe comprising:

at least two straps, each strap having at least two couplers system affixed to the strap; and a sole member having a top surface and an edge circumscribing the sole member, the top surface including at least two sections of at least two mating members, each mating member reversibly attaching to each coupler and each mating member being seated below the top surface into the sole member.

2. The shoe of claim 1, wherein each strap is an open strap having two opposite ends, each opposite end including at least one of the at least two couplers.

3. The shoe of claim 2, wherein each coupler is an eye and each mating member is a hook.

4. The shoe of claim 3, wherein each hook is oriented away from the edge circumscribing the sole member.

5. The shoe of claim 2, wherein one of the coupler or mating member includes a magnet.

6. The shoe of claim 1, wherein each strap is a closed loop strap having an outer surface including the at least two couplers.

7. The shoe of claim 5, wherein each coupler is a snap and each mating member is a corresponding snap.

8. The shoe of claim 5, wherein one of the coupler or mating member includes a magnet.