Footwear with adjustable height platform and interchangeable platform layers

Abstract

A footwear construction capable of incorporating one to three or more platform layers, or no platform layers at all. The invention comprises a kit including a sneaker member, optionally includable in the final construction first second and third platform members, guide members, optionally in sets of three, suitable for inclusion in a constructed footwear item with one, two or three platform members, and a tread its sole member, optionally replaceable by other types of soles.

Claims

1. A platform shoe kit for a shoe with a platform of selectable configuration, comprising: (a) a housing portion for housing the foot of the wearer and comprising a bottom portion for supporting the foot of the wearer, said bottom portion having an upper support surface for supporting the foot of the wearer, and a lower support surface; (b) one or more platform layer members, said platform layer members being securable to one another and to said bottom portion of said housing portion, and having first and second surfaces; (c) first connection members secured to the first sides of said platform layer members; (d) second connection members secured to the second sides of said platform layer members, said second connection members mating with and engaging said first connection members; (e) a sole member; (f) a sole connection member secured to said sole member and securable to one of said platform layer members; (g) a plurality of alignment members securable to respective anchors on said bottom portion, wherein said platform layer members define holes for receiving said alignment members, said holes allowing for the alignment members to pass through and be retained by said platform and to reach said bottom portion of said housing; and (h) a ribbon or lip member that overlies and hides the junction between adjacent parts of the shoe formed by said kit.

2. A kit as in claim 1, wherein at least one platform layer member flares outward having a tapered edge increasing in size from a top surface of said platform layer member to a bottom surface of said platform layer member.

3. A kit as in claim 2, wherein a combination of multiple flared-out platform layer members provides an increase in footprint size and stability.

4. A platform shoe kit for a shoe with a platform of selectable configuration, comprising: (a) a housing portion for housing the foot of the wearer and comprising a bottom portion for supporting the foot of the wearer, said bottom portion having an upper support surface for supporting the foot of the wearer, and a lower support surface; (b) one or more platform layer members, said platform layer members being securable to one another and to said bottom portion of said housing portion, and having first and second surfaces; (c) first connection members secured to the first sides of said platform layer members; (d) second connection members secured to the second sides of said platform layer members, said second connection members mating with and engaging said first connection members; (e) a sole member; (f) a sole connection member secured to said sole member and securable to one of said platform layer members; (g) a plurality of alignment members securable to respective anchors on said bottom portion, and wherein said platform layer members define holes for receiving said alignment members, said holes allowing for the alignment members to pass through and be retained by said platform and to reach said bottom portion of said housing, and wherein said platform layer members have outer contours that are shaped differently from the bottom portion or sole to form a representation of an object not associated with a part of a shoe.

5. A kit as in claim 4, wherein said connection members are snaps about which said platform layer members are molded.

6. A platform shoe kit for assembling a shoe with a platform of selectable configuration, comprising: (a) a housing portion for housing the foot of the wearer and comprising a bottom portion for supporting the foot of the wearer, said bottom portion having an upper support surface; (b) one or more platform layer members, said platform layer members being securable to one another and to said bottom portion of said housing portion; and (c) a sole securable to the bottom of one of said platform layers; (d) a plurality of anchors secured to said bottom portion; (e) a plurality of alignment members securable by said anchors to said bottom portion, and wherein said platform portions define holes for receiving said alignment members and allow the alignment members to pass through said platform portion to reach said anchors on said bottom portion of said housing portion, said anchors comprising a threaded portion and retainer portion.

7. A platform shoe kit for assembling a shoe with a platform of selectable configuration as in claim 6, wherein said retainer portion has the configuration of a nut.

8. A platform shoe kit for assembling a shoe with a platform of selectable configuration as in claim 7, wherein said retainer portion has threads.

9. A platform shoe kit for a shoe with a platform of selectable configuration, comprising: (a) a housing portion for housing the foot of the wearer and comprising a bottom portion for supporting the foot of the wearer, said bottom portion having an upper support surface for supporting the foot of the wearer, and a lower support surface; (b) one or more platform layer members, said platform layer members being securable to one another and to said bottom portion of said housing portion, and having first and second surfaces; (c) first connection members secured to the first sides of said platform layer members; (d) second connection members secured to the second sides of said platform layer members, said second connection members mating with and engaging said first connection members; (e) a sole member; and (f) a sole connection member secured to said sole member and securable to one of said platform layer members; and (g) a plurality of alignment members securable to respective anchors on said bottom portion, and wherein said platform layer members define holes for receiving said alignment members, said holes allowing for the alignment members to pass through and be retained by said platform and to reach said bottom portion of said housing, said anchors further comprising a threaded portion and retainer portion.

10. A platform shoe kit for a shoe with a platform of selectable configuration, comprising: (a) a housing portion for housing the foot of the wearer and comprising a bottom portion for supporting the foot of the wearer, said bottom portion having an upper support surface; (b) one or more platform layer members, said platform layer members being securable to one another and to said bottom portion of said housing portion, and having first and second sides; (c) adhesive members secured to the first sides of said platform layer members; (d) a sole member; and (e) a sole connection member secured to said sole member and securable to one of said platform layer members; (f) a plurality of anchors secured to said bottom portion; and (g) a plurality of alignment members securable to said anchors, wherein said platform portions define holes for receiving said alignment members said holes allowing for the alignment members to pass through said platform to reach said bottom portion of said housing, said anchors each comprising a threaded portion and a retainer portion.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The structure of the inventive platform footwear will become apparent from the following description of the invention applied in the context of a sneaker, taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a side view of a sneaker illustrating a general implementation of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is front view of the front of the inventive sneaker;

(4) FIG. 3 is a class-sectional view of a platform sneaker constructed in accordance with the present invention along lines 3-3 of FIG. 2;

(5) FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the platform sneaker illustrated in FIGS. 1-3;

(6) FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional diagrammatic view illustrating a detail of the construction of the platform sneaker of the present invention which enables one or more platform members to be used and result in a platform sneaker of varying height, or which, alternatively, enables assembly of the sneaker with a simple treaded sole without any platform member;

(7) FIG. 6 illustrates alignment members for use in accordance with the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5 to result in a high platform;

(8) FIG. 7 illustrates alignment members for use with only two platform members resulting in a somewhat less elevated platform sneaker;

(9) FIG. 8 illustrates alignment members for use with only one platform member resulting in a modestly elevated platform sneaker;

(10) FIG. 9 illustrates a platform sneaker with a smooth uniform platform matching the sole of the sneaker portion of the platform sneaker;

(11) FIG. 10 is a front view of the platform sneaker of FIG. 9 illustrating its flared out width implemented for the purpose of imparting greater stability and ease of use two wearers who are not familiar with platform sneakers or who have not regularly use the same and may not have muscles strong enough to safely use the same;

(12) FIG. 11 illustrates an alternative guide member set with only partial threading suitable for use with three platform members;

(13) FIG. 12 illustrates an alternative guide member set with only partial threading suitable for use with two platform members;

(14) FIG. 13 illustrates yet another alternative guide member set with only partial threading suitable for use with a single platform member.

(15) FIG. 14 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the invention featuring a hotdog sculpture;

(16) FIG. 15 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the invention in which the platform smoothly conforms to the shape of the sole of the sneaker portion of the sneaker;

(17) FIG. 16 is a front view of the sneaker of FIG. 15;

(18) FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a cylindrical member for accurately aligning the outsole and platform layers with the upper shoe housing during assembly of the inventive platform footwear;

(19) FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the cylindrical member of FIG. 17; and

(20) FIG. 19 is a view of yet another alternative embodiment of the invention.

(21) FIG. 20 is a side view of another alternative embodiment of the inventive platform sneaker;

(22) FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view of the sneaker of FIG. 20; and

(23) FIG. 22 is a front view of a pair of yet another alternative embodiment of the inventive sneakers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(24) As illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, the inventive customizable platform sneaker 10 comprises a sneaker portion 12. In accordance with the invention, it is contemplated that sneaker portion 12 may be replaced by a sneaker portion of any desired design such as the many sneaker designs which are currently on the market. Likewise, sneaker portion 12 may be replaced with a shoe portion, such as saddle shoes, wingtip shoes, Balmoral shoes, and so forth.

(25) Sneaker portion 12 comprises a footwear upper portion 14 and a footwear sole portion 16. Sole portion bottom surface 18 (FIG. 5) bears a layer of glue 20, which secures Velcro attachment loop fabric 22 (such as that sold under the trademark Velcro), which, on its surface, includes numerous loops 24 and is of conventional design.

(26) The next layer in the inventive sneaker 10 comprises attachment hook fabric 26 (such as that sold under the trademark Velcro). Attachment hook fabric 26 has hooks 28, and is of conventional design. Hooks 28 mate with loops 24. Attachment hook fabric 26 is secured to a platform layer 30 by a layer of glue 32. During use, hooks 28 engage loops 24 and provide adhesion between the bottom surface of sole portion 16 and the top portion of platform layer 30.

(27) Similar to Velcro attachment fabric 22, attachment fabric 34 is glued to the bottom surface 36 of platform layer 30 and has hooks 38 on its bottom surface. Hooks 38 mate with loops 40 on the top surface of hook fabric 42. Hook attachment fabric 42 is glued to the top surface 46 of platform layer 44.

(28) In similar fashion, attachment loop fabric 48 is glued to the bottom surface of platform layer 44. Attachment loop fabric 48 bears loops 50 on its bottom surface. Attachment hook fabric 52 bearing hooks 53 on its top surface is glued to the top surface 54 of platform layer 56.

(29) The bottom surface 58 of platform layer 56 is glued to attachment fabric 60 which bears loops 62 on its bottom surface. Loops 62 mate with hooks 64 on the top surface of hook attachment fabric 66. Hook attachment fabric 66 is, in turn, glued to the top surface 68 of treaded outer sole 70 which includes treads 72 and heel 74.

(30) The mating hooks and loops on adjacent hook attachment fabric layers and loop attachment fabric layers engage each other to provide for adhesion between the adjacent hook attachment fabric layers and loop attachment fabric layers. This combined with the action of the glue results in making the platform portion of the inventive shoe 10 a solid object.

(31) In accordance with the invention, it is contemplated that the parts illustrated in constructed form in FIG. 1, and illustrated in exploded perspective in FIG. 4 will be assembled by the user. Such assembly is facilitated by alignment members 76, which pass through holes 78 in the various members, and thus ensure proper positioning of the various elements of the inventive platform sneaker.

(32) Referring to FIG. 3, alignment members 76 may be made of a simple threaded bar, and are secured to sole portion 16 by being screwed into threaded metal nuts 78. Nuts 78 may be of the type which are welded to a metal washer 80, thus ensuring that they are well anchored in sole portion 16. In accordance with the preferred embodiment, it is contemplated that sole portion 16 would be molded with nuts 78 and washers 80 in place during molding.

(33) Alternatively, both the nut and washer may be injection molded of plastic, such as the polymer sold under the trademark Nylon.

(34) The three alignment members 76 included in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5 are illustrated in FIG. 6. Alignment members 76 making made of metal or plastic. In accordance with the invention, it is contemplated that these three long alignment members would be used in the case of the assembly of a platform sneaker with three platform layers, thus resulting in a platform sneaker of relatively high dimension. If, on the other hand, it is desired to have a platform sneaker of somewhat shorter height, the alignment members 82 illustrated in FIG. 7 may be utilized.

(35) Alternatively, if relatively short platforms are desired, only a single platform layer may be used and the alignment members 84 illustrated in FIG. 8 may be employed.

(36) Turning to FIG. 9, an alternative embodiment of an inventive sneaker 110 is illustrated. Sneaker 110 has three platform layers 130, 144, and 156 which match the shape of sole portion 116, and a tread member 170 for a smooth unitary appearance. Moreover, in order to enhance stability, as illustrated in FIG. 10, platform layers 130, 144, and 156 and sole portion 116 flare out in width.

(37) Referring to FIGS. 11-13, alternative partially threaded alignment members 286 may be employed in the embodiments of FIGS. 1-10. In contrast to the alignment members in FIGS. 6-8, which are threaded along the entire length, the alignment members illustrated in FIGS. 11-13 are only threaded along a limited portion of their length, as illustrated. In accordance with the invention, it is contemplated that the three long alignment members of FIG. 11 would be used in the case of the assembly of a platform sneaker with three platform layers, thus resulting in a platform sneaker of relatively high dimension. If, on the other hand, it is desired to have a platform sneaker of somewhat shorter height, alignment members 286 illustrated in FIG. 12 may be utilized.

(38) Alternatively, if relatively short platforms are desired, only a single platform layer may be used and the alignment members 286 illustrated in FIG. 13 may be employed.

(39) In accordance with the invention, it is contemplated that the platform may be formed by any of a wide variety of arbitrary sculptural shapes, provided that the same provide the required mechanical support.

(40) Referring to FIG. 14, a sneaker 310 constructed in accordance with the present invention is illustrated. The platform effect is achieved, in part, in sneaker 310 by a hotdog shaped sculpture 330, in this case comprising a hotdog between a pair of hotdog roll halves.

(41) Sculpture 330 is glued to loop attachment fabric loop 326. Loop attachment fabric 326 mates with hook attachment fabric 322 which is glued to the underside of sole portion 316. In similar fashion, the bottom of sculpture 330 is glued to hook attachment fabric 334 which mates with loop attachment fabric 342. Loop attachment fabric 342 is glued to the top of tread member 370.

(42) Turning to FIGS. 15-16, a sneaker 410 constructed in accordance with the present invention and featuring sole and platform members which match the shape of the platforms and the sole of the speaker portion of the inventive sneaker is illustrated. As illustrated in FIG. 16, the width of the inventive platform sneaker 410 may be flared out for stability.

(43) In accordance with the invention, it is contemplated that more than three or fewer than three platform layers may be employed. Likewise, it is contemplated that the platform layers may be printed with decorative markings, such as stars, smile faces, thumbs-up signs, and so forth. In addition, platform layers may be of various thicknesses, for example ranging from 0.5 cm to as large a platform as the wearer is able to walk on, for example, 25 cm or even thicker. The same can be included in a kit form including a number of platform layers, alignment posts, shoe housings and outer soles. Multiple housings may also be provided, allowing the user to change the look of his shoes from day to day, or even from hour to hour.

(44) What is referred to herein as an “outer soul” or an “outsole” is the layer of sole that is exposed to the ground. Due to the amount of wear and stress this part of the shoe receives it is usually made of a very durable material. It is also important that it provides enough friction with the floor to prevent the wearer from slipping. This can be done by the provision of treads or other articulations in the surface of the outer soul.

(45) In accordance with the invention, it is contemplated that the user will put the platform shoe together using the Velcro™-type fastener material. Later the user may elect to take the shoe apart and either add an additional platform layer or layers, or remove some of the platform layers, or switch them out for different layers or sculptures. Multiple sculptures are also possible, for example, platform layers may comprise such things as the top and bottom of a hotdog bun, a hotdog, a layer of sauerkraut, a mouse, or anything likely to project a desired aesthetic.

(46) An alternative kit approach is to dispense with the use of Velcro™-type fastener and, instead, provide the user with a of glue to permanently secure the desired platform layers in position to the outer sole and the housing of the shoe. It is contemplated that multiple parts may be included in the kit allowing the user to select those parts which he wishes to use and construct a platform show of suitable height and style.

(47) Also, in accordance with the present invention, it is possible to dispense with use of the alignment members. For example, the platform layers may be aligned by eye and secured with the hook and loop fabric fasteners.

(48) Still yet another alternative in accordance with the present invention is the use of an outside cylindrical guide 580 whose cross-section matches the cross-section of the outsole and platform layers, as illustrated in FIGS. 17-18. In FIG. 17, guide 580 is illustrated in perspective, while in FIG. 18, guide 580 is illustrated in cross-section with the inventive footwear. In accordance with this embodiment, when it is desired to assemble the inventive platform footwear, the outsole is first put into cylindrical guide 580. Next any number of platform layers are inserted into guide 580 and each secured to the layer underneath. Finally, the footwear upper portion is inserted into guide 580 and the shoe is completed. In this arrangement, the platform footwear is held together only by the hook and loop attachment layers, which are glued to their respective footwear upper portion, platform layers and outsole.

(49) In accordance with the invention, platform layers need not be of uniform thickness. For example, they can be sloped to be thinner in the front and thicker toward the heel (for example simulating the effect of a raised heel), or vice versa. In this sort of arrangement, the distance that the heel is raised may be varied by the selection of an appropriate platform layer or multiple platform layers. Likewise, layers, for example of different colors, which slope upwardly at the heel may be combined with layers which slope downwardly at the heel to provide an interesting aesthetic when viewed from the side.

(50) For example, as illustrated in FIG. 19, the inventive footwear 610 may include a flat platform layer 1630 such as that illustrated in FIGS. 1-18, but may also include a curved platform layer 1629 and a plurality of wedge shaped platform layers 1631. As a yet further alternative, wedge shaped layers 1631 may be permanently incorporated into sneaker portion 1612, and only flat platform layers used.

(51) Turning to FIGS. 20 and 21, another alternative embodiment of the inventive platform sneaker 610 is illustrated. In this embodiment, sneaker 610 is constructed in a manner substantially identical to that of the early embodiment except as noted. More particularly, sneaker 610 includes a sole portion 616. Sole portion 616 is made of rubber (for example high density foam rubber) which may be made by being injected into a mold. A snap receiving member 611 is placed in the mold prior to injection molding, whereby snap receiving female member 611 has the rubber of which sole portion 616 is made molded around and secured to snap receiving member 611.

(52) Female snap member 611 may be made of a relatively rigid plastic, typical of mechanical snaps. Female snap member 611 has a socket 613 incorporated therein.

(53) A platform layer 630 incorporates a male snap member 615. Integrally formed with male snap member 615 is a knob 617. Knob 617 mates with socket 613. Knob 617 and female snap member 611 are both made of similar or the same materials and may be made by injection molding.

(54) As illustrated mostly clearly in FIG. 18, sole portion 616 secured to platform layer 630 by the action of female snap member 611 and male snap member 615. FIG. 8, for purposes of illustration, three pairs of snap members 611, 615 are illustrated. In accordance with the preferred embodiment, the snap members would be smaller than illustrated and would be distributed across the length and the width of platform layer 630. For example, fifteen snap member might be used to secure platform layer 632 sole portion 660.

(55) Likewise, fifteen pairs of snap members 611, 615 may be used to secure platform layer 630 to platform to layer 656. Similarly, fifteen pairs of snap members 611, 615 may be used to secure platform layer 656 to treaded sole 670.

(56) In accordance with the embodiment of FIGS. 20-21, the aesthetic appearance of the shoe is improved through the use of overlying ribbon members 673. Uppermost ribbon member 673 is secured to sole portion 616 at surface 675. It may be secured using glue, heat activated glue, or other type of glue. Alternatively, the solvent may be used sole portion 616 and ribbon member 673 to form a dope which allows the two members to be secured to each other.

(57) Ribbon members 673 also include a lower portion 677 which overlies the platform layer or the treaded sole below the element to which they are secured. For example, sole portion 616 overlies platform layer 630. The respective ribbon member 673 is secured to sole portion 616, but is not secured to platform layer 630. This allows platform layer 630 to be slid against the inside of ribbon member 673 during installation of platform layer 630, resulting in engagement between male and female snap members 611 and 650. More particularly, knobs 617 slip and snap into sockets 613, resulting in securely binding sole portion 616 to platform layer 630.

(58) FIG. 22 is a front view of a pair of sneakers yet another alternative embodiment of the inventive sneakers. In accordance with this embodiment of the inventive platform sneakers (including a left sneaker 710L and the right sneaker 710R), additional conveniences provided by configuring all platform layers to be interchangeable. More particularly, as between the left and right foot, platform layers for the respective left and right sneakers are mirror images of each other. By “reversing” the type of connector put on the various parts of the inventive sneaker, platform members which could be positioned on the left sneaker may be flipped over and used on the right sneaker.

(59) However, in order to work in the right sneaker, the right sneaker must have the opposite type of mating connector. Thus, sole portion 716L may be provided with loop-type fastening elements, while sole portion 716R may be provided with hook-type fastening elements. This carries over to the other layers. More particularly, as illustrated in FIG. 22, in the right sneaker, a hook fabric is used on the bottom of the sole portion and the platform layers, and a loop fabric is used on the top of the platform layers and treaded sole.

(60) Similarly, also as illustrated in FIG. 22, in the left sneaker, a loop fabric is used on the bottom of the sole portion and the platform layers, and a hook fabric is used on the top of the platform layers and treaded sole.

(61) It is noted that this methodology, as illustrated in FIG. 22, may be used no matter what type of connection is used to assemble the sneakers. For example, hook fabric may be replaced by male snaps and loop fabric may be replaced by female snaps for a snap version of the system.

(62) Likewise, hook and loop fabrics may be replaced magnets, for example vinyl polymeric magnets, with hook fabric being replaced by exposed magnet north poles and loop fabric being replaced by replaced by exposed magnet south poles.

(63) For example, as illustrated in FIG. 22, the inventive footwear 710 may include a flat platform layer 730 such as that illustrated in FIGS. 1-18, but may also include a curved platform layer 729 and a plurality of wedge shaped platform layers 731. As a yet further alternative, wedge shaped layers 731 may be permanently incorporated into sneaker portion 712, and only flat platform layers used.

(64) While illustrative embodiments of the invention have been described, it is noted that various modifications will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the above description and drawings. Such modifications are within the scope of the invention which is limited and defined only by the following claims.