Abstract
A shoe is bisected across the width thereof with each half capable of interlocking with the opposing half by means of intersecting prongs and prong receivers. A single insole is configured to cover the interlocking seem. Each shoe half comes in a variety of styles and shapes.
Claims
1. An article of footwear, comprising: a toe portion comprising: a toe cover secured to a first end of an upper surface of a toe plate; and, a plurality of prong receivers disposed in a first array across a majority of a width of said toe plate and along a second end of said toe plate; a heel portion comprising: a heel back secured to a first end of an upper surface of a heel plate; a heel stem secured to a lower surface of said heel plate; and, a plurality of prongs projecting away from said heel plate and disposed in a second array across a majority of a width of said heel plate and along a second end thereof; and, a flap removably covering said upper surface of said toe plate and said heel plate and coextensive with a width of said toe plate and said heel plate; wherein said plurality of prongs is capable of being removably secured within said plurality of receivers thereby securing said toe portion to said heel portion; wherein each prong receiver comprises a square-shaped opening; and wherein each prong comprises a lengthened pyramid having a sharp distal end.
2. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein said heel stem comprises a rectangular tube.
3. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein said heel stem comprises a wedge having a first fixing surface secured to a distal end of an upper face of said wedge.
4. The article of footwear of claim 3, wherein said toe plate comprises a second fixing element secured to a lower face of said toe plate; wherein said first fixing element is capable of being removably secured to said second fixing element thereby removably securing said toe plate to said wedge.
5. An article of footwear, comprising: a toe portion comprising: a toe cover secured to a first end of an upper surface of a toe plate; and, a plurality of prong receivers disposed in a first array across a majority of a width of said toe plate and along a second end of said toe plate; a heel portion comprising: a heel back secured to a first end of an upper surface of a heel plate; a heel stem secured to a lower surface of said heel plate; and, a plurality of prongs projecting away from said heel plate and disposed in a second array across a majority of a width of said heel plate and along a second end thereof; and, a flap secured at a first end to said upper surface of said heel plate coextensive with and extending a length of said upper surface of said heel plate and coextensive a width of said toe plate and said heel plate; wherein said plurality of prongs is capable of being removably secured within said plurality of receivers thereby securing said toe portion to said heel portion; wherein each prong receiver comprises a square-shaped opening; and wherein each prong comprises a lengthened pyramid having a sharp distal end.
6. The article of footwear of claim 5, wherein said heel stem comprises a rectangular tube.
7. The article of footwear of claim 5, wherein said heel stem comprises a wedge having a first fixing surface secured to a distal end of an upper face of said wedge.
8. The article of footwear of claim 7, wherein said toe plate comprises a second fixing element secured to a lower face of said toe plate; wherein said first fixing element is capable of being removably secured to said second fixing element thereby removably securing said toe plate to said wedge.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:
(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an article of footwear 10 showing a heel portion 20a assembled with a toe portion 30a, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;
(3) FIG. 2a is a perspective view illustrating the footwear 10 comprising the heel portion 20a, toe portion 30a and disassembled flap portion 25, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;
(4) FIG. 2b is a perspective view illustrating the heel portion 20b, according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention;
(5) FIG. 2c is a perspective view illustrating the heel portion 20c, according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention;
(6) FIG. 2d is a perspective view illustrating the heel portion 20d according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention;
(7) FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the heel portion 20a with assembled flap portion 25, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;
(8) FIG. 4a is a perspective view illustrating the toe portion 30a, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;
(9) FIG. 4b is a perspective view illustrating the toe portion 30b, according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention;
(10) FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the disassembled footwear 10 comprising the heel portion 20e, toe portion 30c, according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention;
(11) FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the assembled footwear 10, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
(12) FIG. 7 is a cross-section view of FIG. 4a and FIG. 4b, taken along line I and II respectively illustrating the toe portion 30a, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention and 30b, according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention; and,
(13) FIG. 8 is a cross-section view of FIG. 5, taken along line III illustrating the toe portion 30c, according an alternate embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTIVE KEY
(14) 10 footwear 11 footwear first end 12 footwear second end 13 footwear third end 14 footwear fourth end 20a heel portion first embodiment 20b heel portion second embodiment 20c heel portion third embodiment 20d heel portion fourth embodiment 20e heel portion fifth embodiment 21 heel back 22 heel plate 23a heel stem first embodiment 23b heel stem second embodiment 24a prong first embodiment 24b prong second embodiment 24c prong third embodiment 24d prong fourth embodiment 25 flap 30a toe portion first embodiment 30b toe portion second embodiment 30c toe portion third embodiment 31 toe cover 32a toe plate first embodiment 32b toe plate second embodiment 32c toe plate second embodiment 34a prong receiver first embodiment 34b prong receiver second embodiment 35 first fixing surface 36 second fixing surface
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
(15) The present invention is directed to an article of footwear 10. In one (1) embodiment of, the footwear 10 may comprise reconfigurable portions 20, 30 to adapt to a plurality of fashions and wearing environments, having a heel portion 20 and a toe portion 30 capable of assembly, and a leather-like lining flap 25.
(16) Referring now to the drawings FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an article of footwear 10 showing a heel portion 20a assembled with a toe portion 30a, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2a is a perspective view illustrating the footwear 10 comprising the heel portion 20a, toe portion 30a and disassembled flap portion 25, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2b is a perspective view illustrating the heel portion 20b, according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2c is a perspective view illustrating the heel portion 20c, according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2d is a perspective view illustrating the heel portion 20d according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the heel portion 20a with assembled flap portion 25, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4a is a perspective view illustrating the toe portion 30a, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4b is a perspective view illustrating the toe portion 30b, according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the disassembled footwear 10 comprising the heel portion 20e, toe portion 30c, according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the assembled footwear 10, according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 7 is a cross-section view of FIG. 4a and FIG. 4b, taken along line I and II respectively illustrating the toe portion 30a, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention and 30b, according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention; and, FIG. 8 is a cross-section view of FIG. 5, taken along line III illustrating the toe portion 30c, according an alternate embodiment of the present invention.
(17) Referring now to the drawings, there is shown in FIG. 1 an article of footwear 10 in the preferred embodiment that comprises two (2) parts, a heel portion 20a and a toe portion 30a, that may be functionally joined in a plurality of combinations having a footwear first end 11, a footwear second end 12. The heel portion 20a has a heel back 21 circumferentially secured about an exterior top face edge of a heel plate 22 and a heel stem 23a secured subjacent the heel plate 22. The toe portion 30a has a toe cover 31 secured circumferentially about an exterior top face edge of a toe plate 32a. A flap 25 extends away from the heel plate 22 and is sized to encompass the entire width of the heel plate 22 and toe plate 32a top surface when the heel portion 20a and toe portion 30a are conjoined. The flap 25 may be structured and arranged to conform to a foot bed of the footwear 10 when the heel portion 20a and the toe portion 30a are in a joined condition. The flap 25 may support the foot of a wearer. The flap 25 may also prevent potential discomfort for the wearer at the seam between the heel portion 20a and toe portion 30a by providing a cushioning function between the foot of the wearer and the footwear 10. The exact specifications, materials used, and method of use of the footwear 10 may vary upon manufacturing. The flap 25 may be utilized in the manner previously described for the footwear preferred embodiment 10 or any alternate embodiment discussed more fully below.
(18) Referring now to FIG. 2a, showing the footwear 10 in a disassembled manner comprising the heel portion 20a, toe portion 30a and flap portion 25. The heel portion 20a, which may comprise a plurality of prongs 24a extending across a majority of the heel plate 22a of the heel portion 20a, may be removably coupled to the toe portion 30a through a friction fit insertion into a corresponding plurality of prong receivers 34a, 34b (please see FIGS. 4a and 4b) extending across a majority of the toe plate 32a of the toe portion 30a. The plurality of prongs 24a are of uniform structure and size that may be suitable for engaging with a toe portion 30a having prong receivers 34a, 34b. The plurality of prongs 24a are located on a footwear third end 13 of the heel plate 22a and the prong receivers 34a, 34b are located on a footwear fourth end 14 of the toe plate 32a.
(19) When coupled, the heel portion 20a and the toe portion 30a may comprise a functional article of footwear 10 useful for coordinating with a plurality of fashions and wearing environments. The heel portion 20a and the toe portion 30a may comprise coordinated colors, materials and styles which may be interchangeably joined to create a plurality of shoe fashions and configurations. The heel portion 20a may also comprise a leather-type lining flap 25 affixed to an upper surface of the heel plate 22a and also the heel back 22 in certain embodiments (please see FIG. 3).
(20) Referring again to FIG. 2a, each prong 24a comprises a lengthened pyramid having a sharp distal end. FIG. 2b demonstrates a heel portion 20b in a second embodiment having a plurality of prongs 24b which comprise a lengthened cone having a sharp distal end. FIG. 2c demonstrates a heel portion 20c in a third embodiment having a plurality of prongs 24c which comprise a lengthened pyramid having a flat or blunted distal end. FIG. 2d demonstrates a heel portion 20d in a fourth embodiment having a plurality of prongs 24d which comprise a lengthened cone having a flat or blunted distal end. The square base of the plurality of prongs 24a, 24c necessitate coupling with square-shaped prong receivers 34a (please see FIG. 4a). The circular base of the plurality of prongs 24b, 24d necessitate coupling with circular shaped prong receivers 34b (please see FIG. 4b).
(21) Referring now to FIG. 5, a heel portion 20e in a fifth embodiment is demonstrated. The heel portion 20e has a wedge-shaped heel stem 23b with a first fixing element 35 secured to the distal end of the upper face of the heel stem 23b. A corresponding toe portion 30c in a third embodiment has a second fixing element 36 secured to centrally located region on the bottom of the toe plate 32c. The fixing elements 35, 36 may comprise any temporary fixing means such as corresponding hook and loop material or magnets. When properly joined together the heel portion 20e and toe portion 30c present a footwear 10 commonly known as a wedge shoe. When so joined, the interaction of the fixing elements 35, 36 assist in removably securing the toe plate 32c to the heel plate 23b. See FIG. 6.
(22) The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
