Abstract
The present invention provides a modular shoe adapted to be configured by a wearer comprises: a sole capable of receiving a shoe upper for arrangement over a wearer's foot by at least one channel. In this way the wearer is able to configure multiple shoe arrangements by use of modular parts that are interchangeable to create customised shoes that are lighter and can be packed away smaller than traditional shoes.
Claims
1-20. (canceled)
21. A modular shoe adapted to be configured into at least two different forms comprises: a sole which receives at least one shoe upper for arrangement over a user's foot, the sole having a continuous channel around its outer perimeter/surface for receiving and engaging with the shoe upper(s); wherein each shoe upper has at least one connection portion that is adapted to be received in the channel so as to permit adjustable connection of the shoe upper with respect to the sole, to a user desired configuration, by sliding the connection portion along the channel; wherein the channel includes an entrance for accepting the at least one connection portion that is received by and retained in the continuous channel; and a locking means is capable of locking the at least one connection portion at a fixed position selected by the user in the continuous channel so as to alter fit and/or appearance of the modular shoe.
22. A modular shoe according to claim 21 wherein the channel is provided on a side edge of the sole so as not to interfere with a wearer's foot.
23. A modular shoe according to claim 21 wherein a lower face of the sole includes or is adapted to receive a heel.
24. A modular shoe according to claim 21 wherein at least part of the lower face of the sole adapted to contact the ground has an anti-slip surface.
25. A modular shoe according to claim 21 wherein the shoe upper is adjustable so as to fit to the wearer's foot size.
26. A modular shoe according to claim 21 wherein the shoe has at least one attachment means with which a decorative item is attached to the shoe.
27. A modular shoe according to claim 26 wherein the decorative items are from the group comprising: bows, ribbons, clasps, images, logos, toys, jewels and trinkets.
28. A modular shoe according to claim 21 wherein in an unrelaxed state the sole is flexible and substantially planar.
29. A modular shoe according to claim 21 wherein the connection portion comprises a body for locating in the channel and an arm for connecting the body to the shoe upper.
30. A modular shoe according to claim 29 wherein the arm is flexible.
31. A modular shoe according to claim 29 wherein the channel has grooves for accepting the arm of the connection portions.
32. A modular shoe according to claim 23 wherein the heel is stackable.
33. A modular shoe according to claim 21 wherein the channel is sandwiched between two layers.
34. A modular shoe according to claim 21 including a securing member to lock the connection portion in position in the channel.
35. A modular shoe according to claim 23 wherein the heel includes a heel protector.
36. A modular shoe according to claim 21 wherein the sole has a core defined by a metal insert.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
[0148] FIG. 1A shows an isometric view of a sole;
[0149] FIG. 1B shows a rear end view of a sole;
[0150] FIG. 2A shows a side view of a sole having a channel with grooves;
[0151] FIGS. 2B, 2C and 2D shows a selection of different channel cross sections;
[0152] FIG. 2E shows a cross section of a sole with a shoe upper connected;
[0153] FIG. 3 shows a close up view of the channel having recesses for receiving a connection portion;
[0154] FIG. 4A show one embodiment of a shoe upper;
[0155] FIG. 4B shows a second embodiment of a shoe upper;
[0156] FIGS. 5A to 5F show examples of various shoe uppers;
[0157] FIG. 6A shows an exploded view of a modular shoe;
[0158] FIG. 6B shows a review view of a modular shoe;
[0159] FIG. 6C shows a top view of a modular shoe;
[0160] FIGS. 7A to 7G show a selection of different heel types;
[0161] FIGS. 8A to 8F show a selection of decorative items;
[0162] FIG. 9 shows a side view of a sole with an integrated heel;
[0163] FIGS. 10A to 10C show variations of a stackable heel;
[0164] FIGS. 11A and 11B shows a second embodiment of a connection portion;
[0165] FIG. 12 shows a second embodiment of a channel and corresponding shoe upper and connection portion;
[0166] FIG. 13A shows a second embodiment of a stackable heel with an exploded view of the sole and channel;
[0167] FIG. 13B shows a top view of a channel that is concealed between layers of the shoe;
[0168] FIG. 14A shows a sole with a channel including securing members;
[0169] FIG. 14B shows a channel with connection portions fixed between two securing members;
[0170] FIG. 15A shows a sole with two shoe uppers connected by a clip mechanism; and
[0171] FIG. 15B shows the clip mechanism shown in FIG. 15A.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
[0172] The Figures show a variety of modular shoe configurations and modular parts that can be combined to form customised modular shoes.
[0173] FIGS. 1A and 1B show a sole 100 having an upper face 110A for receiving the foot and a lower face 110B for receiving the ground and/or a heel. The sole 100 is substantially planar having a smooth upper and lower face. The sole 100 includes a channel 140 for receiving a connection portion (not shown) along which the connection portion that attached the shoe upper to the sole can be slid to the desired position. The channel 140 passes around the perimeter edge of the sole.
[0174] FIG. 1B shows the channel 140 having an entrance 145 through which a body (not shown) of the connection portion can be inserted in order to enter the channel. The channel is tapered towards to opening that is exposed on the sole edge so as to retain the connection portion.
[0175] The entrance 145 is round and larger than the opening of the channel 140 so as to be able to accept the body of the connection portion and then retain it within the channel once slid along away from the entrance.
[0176] FIG. 2A shows a side view of the sole 100. This embodiment of the sole 100 has a channel 140 wherein the channel 140 includes a plurality of grooves 141 into which an arm (not shown) of the connection portion (not shown) can be accepted into when the connection portion is arranged in the desired location so as to lock the connection portion into position.
[0177] The grooves 141 are arranged on an upper edge of the channel opening 140A so that the arm is locked upwards, thereby aligning the shoe upper (not shown) in such a way that it is arranged over the user's foot.
[0178] The groove 141 typically corresponds to shape and in particular cross-section of the arm.
[0179] FIG. 2E shows a cross section of the sole 100 having a shoe upper 400 fitted to the shoe 100. The shoe upper 400 comprises a strap suitable for passing over the toe region of a user's foot. Each end of the shoe upper 400 has a connection portion 430 for connection the shoe upper 400 to the sole 100.
[0180] The connection portion 430 comprises two parts, a body 410 for being received by the channel 140 and an arm 420 for connecting the body 410 at a first end 421 and for connecting the shoe upper 400 and a second end 422 of the arm.
[0181] The body 410 is a round ball that sits in an arcuate channel 140 in use. Therefore the body can easily pass along the channel 140.
[0182] The arm 420 is L-shaped so as to extend from the channel 140 and adjacent the sole edge towards an upper face of the sole 110A. The length of the arm 420 corresponds to depth of the sole from the channel 140 to the upper face.
[0183] The channel 140 is shown in FIG. 2E is integrated with core 130 of the sole 100. Therefore providing a dual function of strength for the sole 100 and a connection means for the shoe upper 400. Additionally as the channel is integrated with the core 130 it is fully embedded within the sole 100, this prevents movement ensuring use and any risk of the channel 140 becoming detached.
[0184] FIGS. 2B, 2C and 2D show different embodiments of the channel 140 wherein the channel cavity 140A has different cross sectional shapes.
[0185] In FIG. 2B the cavity 140A is round for accepting a substantially arcuate body 410. FIG. 2C shows cavity 140A in the form of a trapezoid cross section for accepting a substantially trapezoid or triangular body. In FIG. 2D the cavity is T-shaped, typically for accepting a square, rectangular or disc shaped body with an elongate arm 420 that passes through the tapered opening of the channel 140.
[0186] FIG. 3 shows a close up section of the channel 140 arranged in the sole 100. The channel has a plurality of recesses 150 into which the body 410 of the connection portion 430 can be engaged and thereby locked in position. Typically the body 410 is push fitted into the chosen recess.
[0187] FIGS. 4A and 4B show two embodiments of shoe uppers 400. FIG. 4A is a shoe upper as shown in FIG. 2E. FIG. 4B is a shoe upper for configuring a flip-flop modular shoe. The shoe upper 400 having three connection portions 430 each comprising a body 410 and an arm 420 thereby enabling the shoe upper 400 to be connected to the sole 100 by means of the channel 140 at two locations and wherein the sole 100 has an aperture (not shown) for receiving the connection portion that is located between the user's toes when donned.
[0188] FIGS. 5A-5F show a plurality of different shoe uppers 400 that may be attached to the sole 100. Each shoe upper is attached to the sole by connection portions 430 (the connection portion shown does not show the body and arm.
[0189] FIG. 5A connects to the channel in six locations. FIG. 5B shows a mesh shoe upper 400 with 6 connection portions 430. FIG. 5C shows four straps linked to a flower having and a single toe strap thereby providing 6 connection portions.
[0190] FIG. 5D shows three straps for location in use over a wearer's instep wherein each strap end including connection portions at each end to provide six connection portions 430. FIG. 5E shows a toe strap to create a mule type sandal having a connection portion 430 at each corner.
[0191] FIG. 5F shows a sandal type shoe upper 400 have a heart combined with plurality of straps. The sandal shoe upper includes six connection portions.
[0192] FIG. 6A shows an exploded view of a modular shoe having a sole 100, shoe upper 400 and a heel 300. The sole includes a loop 200A for receiving a decorative item (not shown).
[0193] The shoe upper 400 includes eight connection portions 430 for connecting the shoe upper 400 to the sole 100. The sole includes a threaded projection 120 for receiving the threaded heel.
[0194] FIG. 6B shows a rear view of a modular shoe with a bow accessory attached to the heel region by attachment means (not shown).
[0195] FIG. 6C shows a top view of a modular shoe having a shoe upper with a bow fitted at the toe region by attachment means (not shown).
[0196] FIGS. 7A-7F show a selection of detachable heels 300 that can be interchanged in order to customise the modular shoe.
[0197] FIGS. 7A-7C show court heels 300 of different heights (3A and 3C). FIG. 3B shows a stiletto heel.
[0198] FIG. 7D shows a wedge heel 300 including a platform that extends along shoe length so as to elevate both the toe and heel region.
[0199] FIGS. 7E shows a platform 310 to be worn in conjunction with a heel 300 such as that shown in FIG. 3F.
[0200] FIG. 7G shows a wedge heel 300 with a sole 100 arranged atop of the heel 300. The sole 100 is integrated with the wedge heel 300 so as to be a single part. In this way the wedge heel 300 and sole 100 may be manufactured as one part, for example being formed from a mould.
[0201] FIGS. 8A to 8F shows a selection of decorative items/accessories 500 that can be attached to any part of the shoe by attachment means 200 in order to decorate/embellish the shoe.
[0202] FIG. 8F shows three embodiments of decorative items with a connector portion 430 having body 410, and arm 420 and a decorative item 500. This provides the mean for attaching the decorative item 500 to the channel and or an attachment means. Three different types of body 410 are shown to include a hemispherical body, a triangular body and an X-shaped body. It is appreciated that the channel could be adapted to receive the body.
[0203] FIG. 9 shows a cut through view of sole wherein the sole includes a metal core 130 to provide additional strength and durability to the modular shoe. The core 130 is a titanium plate embedded in a synthetic plastic sole 100. The sole is moulded to include a projection 105 that corresponds to the heel. The metal core 130 also has a projection 135 corresponding to the heel region. The metal core 130 is encapsulated by the sole 100 so that the metal is concealed. New heels may be slid on over projection 105,135 so as to alter appearance of the shoe.
[0204] FIGS. 10A shows a sole 100 with a kitten heel 300. FIGS. 10B and 10C show two alternative heel types that each include an aperture 310 arranged on an upper surface of the heel 300 for receiving the kitten heel of 10A so that the heels can be stacked. The stackable heels are connected by magnetic means.
[0205] FIG. 11 shows a second embodiment of a connection portion wherein the arm 420 includes a hole 425 for receiving a part of the body 410. The body 410 is a T-shaped section with a head 412 and a neck 411 that is received by through the hole 425 and inserted into a corresponding void in the channel such that the body serves a pin that is clip fitted for example by a detent mechanism into the channel thereby securing the shoe upper to the sole. The head 412 is adapted to fit flush into the channel.
[0206] FIG. 12 shows an alternative embodiment of the channel 140 wherein the channel 140 is defined by a region between a lower face of the sole 100 and an upper face of the heel 300 so that together they provide a channel 140. The lower face of the sole and upper face of the heel have corresponding male A and female B portions that interlock so as to engage the parts together.
[0207] The shoe upper has corresponding connection portions that also fit within the female portions B of the sole prior to acceptance of male portion A of the heel. The female portion B is sized to be larger than male portion B to allow for fitting of the connection portion whilst still permitting the sole and heel to be in contact with each other across adjacent faces when engaged.
[0208] FIG. 13A shows a second embodiment of a stackable heel wherein a wedge heel 300A can be accepted on to a court shoe heel 300B. An upper surface of the wedge heel 300A receives the channel that is sandwiched between the sole 100.
[0209] In this embodiment the channel 140 is concealed in use wherein the channel 140 is arranged between two layers 140A and 140B. To fit the connection portions, the two layers 140A and 140B are separated and the connecting portions (not shown in FIG. 13A) are located between the layers of the channel 140A, 140B and the layers then joined together thereby concealing the channel and holding the connection portions in position. In some embodiments the inner faces of the layers 140A and 140B are adapted to receive connection portions. In an alternative embodiment, additional connection means may be used to fix the connection portion in position, such as screw fixings.
[0210] FIG. 13B shows an alternative embodiment of the channel that may be arranged between the sole 100 and heel 300. The channel 140 has a plurality of arcuate recesses 150 suitable for receiving the body 410 of a connection portion 400.
[0211] FIGS. 14A and 14B show a channel having securing members 440. The securing members 440 serve to prevent movement of connection portions arranged in the channel 140 thereby providing a locking means. Typically the securing members 440 are arranged either side of a connection portion.
[0212] The securing portions are dimension to fit in the channel 140 and are formed from a resiliently deformable material such as rubber. They are dimensioned to form a tight fit in the channel 140 so as to remain in place and to prevent movement of the connection portions 430 along the channel 140.
[0213] FIGS. 15A and 15B show a different embodiment of an arm wherein the arm is in the form of a folding clasp, having two parts hinged together so as to permit a first part of the arm 420A to pass through a ring on a shoe upper 400 and then fold at the hinge, so as to bring the first part of the arm parallel to the second part of the arm. The first and second parts of the arm 420A, 420B include a clasp so as to enable the first and second parts of the arm 420A, 420B to connect and therefore provide a connection between the ring of the shoe upper and the channel 140.
[0214] In some embodiments the two parts of the arm 420A and 420B may join by means other than a clasp such as a clip, buckle, detent mechanism or magnetic means.
[0215] The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention as defined by the claims.
