Fastening device and kit, especially for interchangeable fashion footwear

Abstract

The inventive subject matter pertains to a shoe comprising of a firmly embedded fastening device between multiple layers for attachable and detachable upper components and sole components such that the face of the socket may be flush with the side of the sole, allowing for an economical manufacturing process to produce truly fashionable shoes in many different styles. The fastening device comprises a locking, stabilizing, and actuating mechanism comprising of a socket and plug. A socket comprises a stabilizing lever, pawl, flexible joint, aperture, and aligning tabs. A plug comprises overhangs and at least one prong further comprising teeth complementary to teeth on a pawl. Utilizing advancement in materials with a layering design to implant a fastening device, manufacturing may be consistent and more economical and also reduce cost and inconveniences for fashion consumers in several ways.

Claims

1. In a shoe comprising attachable and detachable components wherein an upper component and a sole component is attached and detached from one another with a fastening device in which said fastening device comprises a socket associated with said sole component and said socket comprising a vertical outermost socket wall, center socket wall, and two side socket walls forming a socket shaft and a pawl within said socket shaft and may receive a plug associated with said upper component comprising an interlocking tooth that engages with a complementary pawl such that the fastening device may be intentionally engaged and disengaged, the improvement comprising a locking, stabilizing, and actuating mechanism comprising: a stabilizing lever jutting out horizontally in its resting position from a pawl into an aperture within said outermost socket wall, said stabilizing lever comprising a generally rectangular shape and sufficient thickness and length, wherein said stabilizing lever deters a flexible joint from overextending such that said flexible joint may be sufficiently flexible and stabilizing lever may be actuable; said pawl extending vertically down in its resting position into said socket shaft from said flexible joint, said pawl comprising a consistent flat shape and forming a right angle where it joins said flexible joint; said flexible joint sufficiently jutting out outwards horizontally in its resting position from a socket vertical wall within socket shaft, said flexible joint comprising a sufficient length and dispersed flexibility such that said stabilizing lever may be actuable by an intentional lightly pulling force downwards by a human finger; said outermost socket wall comprising a exposable socket face adjoining said socket shaft; said outermost socket wall and said socket face comprising a aperture, wherein the size and position of said aperture allows said stabilizing lever to traverse said outermost socket wall in a downwards motion to intentionally disengage the fastening device, allows said stabilizing lever to traverse said outermost socket wall in a upwards motion to pinch and lock said plug in a engaged position between said pawl and said socket shaft, and inhibits said stabilizing lever from moving further upwards when said plug is sufficiently pinched, wherein integrated said aperture and said stabilizing lever prevents the integrated said flexible joint from being over extended and failing, wherein stabilizing mechanism allows for a sufficiently flexible joint for said actuating mechanism; a configuration of said pawl and said flexible joint pivoting said stabilizing lever in a downwards and inwards motion, wherein the motion downwards is substantially greater than the motion inwards, substantially accelerating the intentional disengaging action such that said stabilizing lever may be recessed within said socket face and conveniently accessible; and wherein said stabilizing lever, said pawl, said flexible joint, and said socket are molded simultaneously as one continuous piece.

2. In the shoe comprising attachable and detachable components of claim 1, said stabilizing lever further comprising a stabilizing lever face slanted inwards going from bottom to top such that the bottom edge of said stabilizing lever face is the outermost point said stabilizing lever, indicating and facilitating the downwards motion of said stabilizing lever.

3. The shoe comprising attachable and detachable components of claim 2, wherein said stabilizing lever face is recessed within said aperture such that said stabilizing lever does not protrude out past said socket face.

4. In the shoe comprising attachable and detachable components of claim 1, said pawl further comprising two sets of interlocking teeth complementary with teeth on the plug, wherein said stabilizer lever attaches to the pawl between each set and each set of teeth comprises two rows of teeth.

5. In the shoe comprising attachable and detachable components of claim 1, said pawl further comprising two interlocking teeth complementary with teeth on the plug, wherein said stabilizer lever attaches to the pawl between each tooth.

6. In the shoe comprising attachable and detachable components of claim 1, said stabilizing mechanism further comprising at least two overhangs molded simultaneously as one continuous piece with said plug, wherein said overhang is above each said side socket wall and prevents said plug from twisting inwards such that said socket shaft depth and socket thickness between an insole and an outsole may be sufficiently reduced.

7. In the shoe comprising attachable and detachable components of claim 1, said shoe further comprising: an outsole layer, midsole layer, and sufficiently stable insole layer bonded together around said socket to properly secure said socket such that said socket face may be exposed between visible portions of said midsole and said insole above said flexible joint may also prevent said flexible joint from overextending and failing; said stabilizing lever further comprising a stabilizing lever face slanted inwards going from bottom to top such that the bottom edge of said stabilizing lever face is the outermost point said stabilizing lever, indicating and facilitating the downwards motion of said stabilizing lever, wherein said stabilizing lever is recessed within said aperture such that it does not protrude out past said socket face; said pawl further comprising two sets of interlocking teeth complementary with teeth on said plug, wherein said stabilizer lever attaches to the pawl between each set and each set of teeth comprises two rows of teeth; said stabilizing mechanism further comprising at least two overhangs molded simultaneously as one continuous piece with said plug, wherein said overhangs rest above each said side socket shaft wall and prevents said plug from twisting inwards in which said socket shaft depth and socket thickness may be sufficiently reduced such that the distance between said insole layer and said outsole layer may also be reduced; and wherein said socket comprises of a rectangular shaped socket anchor adjoining and sharing said center socket wall to further immobilize said socket between said insole and said outsole by increasing the surface area of said socket against bottom side of said insole such that the point of contact is further distributed.

8. The shoe comprising attachable and detachable components of claim 7, wherein said socket comprises an aligning tab molded simultaneously as one continuous piece with said socket above each side socket shaft wall such that said aligning tab fit snug into said insole comprising slits and said aligning tab prevents said socket shaft and said slit from being unaligned, expedites alignment during manufacturing, and restrains said socket between said layers of said shoe and said aligning tab also meets with said overhang to prevent twisting of said plug.

9. The shoe comprising attachable and detachable components of claim 8, wherein said socket comprises of a flange protruding out horizontally along the bottom of said socket such that a complementary midsole cavity may also pin down and secure said socket between said insole layer and said outsole layer and said sole component may be manufactured by installing said socket in prefabricated said midsole, aligning said aligning tab with said slit to accurately position and bond said insole to said midsole, and bonding said sole component to said midsole.

10. The shoe comprising attachable and detachable components of claim 7, wherein said socket shaft depth is less than 8 millimeters and said socket fits within said shoe further comprising of a midsole less than 8 millimeters thick from said insole to said outsole adjacent to each side of the socket face.

11. The shoe comprising attachable and detachable components of claim 7, wherein said socket face comprised of a concave shape towards the center of said socket face and a flat shape within a geometrical plane at the perimeter such that said perimeter of said socket face may be sanded and smoothed flush with a vertical side of said shoe resting in a flat upright position.

12. The shoe comprising attachable and detachable components of claim 11, wherein said perimeter of said socket face is sanded and smoothed flush with a vertical side of said shoe resting in a flat upright position.

13. The shoe comprising attachable and detachable components of claim 7, wherein said plug comprises of a thin flat shape that kinks outwards and up going from bottom to top such that when said plug is engaged with said socket implanted within said shoe the portion of said plug protruding up from said shoe is closer to the outer perimeter of said insole and more flush with the side of said shoe such that said shoe may be narrow and fit the user properly.

14. In an shoe comprising a fastening device having means for attaching and detaching footwear uppers and soles in which a socket associated with a sole comprising a socket outermost wall, socket back wall, and two socket side walls forming a socket shaft and a pawl within said socket shaft may receive a plug associated with an upper comprising an interlocking tooth that engages with a complementary pawl such that the fastening device may be intentionally engaged and disengaged, a locking, stabilizing, and actuating mechanism comprising: an aperture within a socket wall and a stabilizing lever, pawl, and flexible joint comprising a flat shape and consistent thickness; wherein said plug is locked into place when said pawl is wedged forward and pins said plug against said socket shaft; wherein said stabilizing lever integrally attached to said flexible joint via said pawl counteracts said flexible joint form being forced upwards and failing by said stabilizing lever being pinned against the aperture roof as a pulling force is applied to engaged said plug; wherein the flexible joint jutting out horizontally from said center socket wall within said socket shaft prevents engaged said plug from forcing pawl back into a unintentional disengaged position; and said flexible joint comprising sufficient length and thinness to pivot stabilizing lever in a downwards motion within said aperture such that the lever be recessed and still accessible by a human finger.

15. The locking, stabilizing, and actuating mechanism of claim 14, wherein said locking and stabilizing mechanism further comprises: an outsole layer, midsole layer, and sufficiently stable insole layer bonded together around said socket to properly secure said socket such that said socket face may be exposed between visible portions of said midsole; said stabilizing mechanism further comprising at least two overhangs molded simultaneously as one continuous piece with said plug, wherein said overhangs rest above each said side socket wall and prevents said plug from twisting inwards in which said socket shaft depth and socket thickness may be sufficiently reduced such that the distance between said insole layer and said outsole layer may also be reduced; wherein said socket comprises of a rectangular shaped socket anchor adjoining and sharing said center socket wall to further immobilize said socket between said insole and said outsole by increasing the surface area of said socket against bottom side of said insole such that the point of contact is further distributed; and an outsole layer, midsole layer, and sufficiently stable insole layer bonded together around said socket to properly secure said socket such that said socket face may be exposed between visible portions of said midsole.

16. An footwear kit for switching compatible upper components and sole components, comprising: a sole component comprising a socket of a fastening device wherein said socket comprises of a stabilizing lever, pawl, flexible joint within a socket shaft and said socket shaft comprises of an aperture; said upper component comprising an attached plug wherein said plug comprises a flat shape and two prongs, wherein each prong comprises of a tooth complementary to a tooth on said pawl such that said stabilizing lever attaches to said pawl between two rows of teeth; said stabilizing lever extends from said pawl and into an aperture to disengage said plug attached; said flexible joint connects said pawl to said socket shaft and guilds said pawl such that said pawl pins said plug against said socket shaft such that said plug is locked into place by said complementary teeth; wherein said sole component may be sold separately and said upper component may be sold separately such that a consumer may purchase said upper components in a size that is different from said sole component purchased for a comfortable fit; and wherein said sole component and said upper component may be sold together as a package comprising a plurality of said upper components tightly packaged as disengaged components such that empty space and excess weight is minimalized during shipping and storing inventory.

17. The footwear kit for switching compatible upper components and sole components of claim 16, wherein said sole component comprises of a finger positioned to run between two human toes for a thong-type sandal comprising a conventional fastener in which said sole component is compatible with a plurality of thong-type uppers such that said upper components attach to the said sole component in at least three locations;

18. The footwear kit for switching compatible upper components and sole components of claim 16, wherein said sole component comprises of a conventional toe box for a slide-type sandal and said sole component is compatible with a plurality of upper components that secure a person's foot by the ankle.

19. The footwear kit for switching compatible upper components and sole components of claim 16, wherein said sole component comprise of flat-type outsole, wedge-type outsole, and high platform-type outsole such that a plurality of upper components are compatible.

20. The footwear kit for switching compatible upper components and sole components of claim 16, wherein said upper component is compatible with a plurality of sole components.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the sole. From top to bottom: insole, midsole, outer socket, inner socket, and outsole with heel.

[0033] FIGS. 2A and 2B. FIG. 2A illustrates how the layers come together in FIG. 1 to form a finished sole. FIG. 2B, the sole component from above, depicts the thin slots that the plug goes through to engage with the socket.

[0034] FIG. 3, the midsole from above, depicts how the midsole over laps the flanges when comparing the lower view point in FIG. 1

[0035] FIGS. 4A and 4B. FIG. 4A is a plane of the socket from above. FIG. 4B is a plane of the socket from below.

[0036] FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D. FIG. 5A is the plug and the socket from the side. FIG. 6B is a frontal view of the plug and socket. FIG. 5C is a rear view of the plug and socket. FIG. 5D is a cross-sectional view of the plug and socket in FIG. 5B through line 5D-5D shown in the uncoupled position.

[0037] FIG. 6 is a view of the plug and plug teeth.

[0038] FIG. 7 is a view of the plug and socket engaged.

[0039] FIG. 8 is a view of the plug inserted in the socket in the disengaged position.

[0040] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a sole component and a detached upper component that may be assembled into a shoe by means of two or more coupling devices of the present inventive subject matter comprising of sockets and plugs.

[0041] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a slide-type sole component and an attached low ankle strap upper component.

[0042] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a slide-type sole component and an attached cuff upper component.

[0043] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a slide-type sole component and an attached single wraparound gladiator-type upper component.

[0044] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a thong-type sole component designed for a thong-type upper component and an attached thong upper component.

[0045] A wedge-type sole component is not shown.

[0046] A shoe comprising of a flexible wrap covering a socket face is not shown

DETAILED DESCRIPTION AND BEST MODE OF IMPLEMENTATION

[0047] Let it be noted that the disclosure of the inventive subject matter in this specification includes all possible combinations of such features.

[0048] An, upper component 40 refers to an upper of a shoe or footwear, and can include a toecap part (not shown), a toecap patch (not shown), a toe box 42 strap that covers the forward part of a person's foot, ankle-type upper 43, cuff upper 44, wraparound gladiator upper 45, thong-type upper 46, and heel straps (not shown), and can include unitary and integral combinations as well.

[0049] A, sole component 1 refers to the component attached to the upper component 40 to form an interchangeable shoe 41. A sole component 1 is not to be confused with an outsole 4 layer. Additionally, sole components 1 may comprise of an outsole 4 that is a flat-type outsole (seen in FIG. 1), wedge-type outsole (not shown), or high platform-type outsole (not shown).

[0050] A, horizontal refers to a normal positioned interchangeable shoe 41. For example with the sole component 1 resting on a horizontal surface. An, outer and inner refer to elements of the fastening device 38 positioned nearer and further away, respectively, from the nearest lateral side of the sole component 1.

[0051] A fastening device 38, according to an embodiment of the inventive subject matter comprises two parts: a socket 5 and a plug 26. The socket 5 is typically embedded into a sole component 1, while the plug 26 is typically affixed to the upper component 40.

[0052] The socket 5 includes a socket shaft 15 that is adapted to receive the plug 26, a pawl 17 for engaging and locking the plug 26 with the socket 5, and stabilizing lever 18 for releasing the pawl 17 from the plug 26, whereby the upper component 40 may be detached from the sole component 1. The pawl 17 is connected to a flexible joint 16 at the top side of the socket shaft 15 and preferably forms a right angle where the pawl 17 and flexible joint 16 integrally meet as one piece. The flexible joint 16 is preferably connected at the top side of the center socket wall 22. The pawl 17 comprises an upper component 40 portion and a lower portion having a surface facing the outer wall, the surface preferably having two toothed surfaces, each comprising at least one tooth, astride a middle portion where the stabilizer lever 18 is attached. The socket 5 may be manufactured in one piece. The plug 26 may be manufactured in one piece.

[0053] In a preferred embodiment, the plug 26 has two spaced-apart toothed prongs 30. The plug teeth 33 are complimentary to the teeth on the pawl 17. The release means, preferably a stabilizing lever 18, extends through an aperture in the outermost socket wall 20 with an exterior socket face 27. The stabilizing lever 18 communicates with the pawl 17 by being directly attached as one molded piece. The stabilizing lever 18 traverses the aperture 19 in mostly an up and down motion. Within the socket 5, the stabilizing lever 18 preferably passes between the pair of toothed prongs 30, and preferably between the highest teeth, to communicate the downward force of a person's finger pressing mostly downwards. The applied pressure on the stabilizing lever 18 displaces the pawl 17 away from the plug 26 sufficiently to separate the complementary engaged teeth of the pawl 17 and the prongs 30, thereby disengaging and releasing the plug 26. The aperture 19 is sized so that a person's finger can access the stabilizing lever 18. The stabilizing lever 18 is preferably recessed within the socket face perimeter 28 and the sole component 1 to avoid scratching the stabilizing lever face 21 when a sole component side 12 is sanded and smoothed during manufacturing. An interchangeable shoe 41 with a recessed stabilizing lever 18 may generally go unnoticed by a casual observer, yet it may be easier to manipulate by simply pressing downwards by a person's finger. If the socket face 27 was covered by a less flexible layer that also holds the socket 5 in place, the fastening device 38 could be hard to operate. The socket 5 is rectangular in shape comprising of a front rectangular socket shaft 15 sharing a center socket wall 22 with an anchor 7. The anchor 7 has a thin layer across the bottom to increase the surface area for adhesive and has protruding thin solid rectangles flanges 8 along the bottom of the side socket walls 24 to restrain the coupling device underneath the midsole 3, reinforcing the attachment of the socket 5. Nylon is preferably used to mold a fastening device 38 with sufficient tensile strength, which is determined to be greater than 250 Newton for each fastening device 38 implanted within a interchangeable shoe 41 such that the fastening device 38 does not pull out of a sole component 1 and a plug 26 does not pull out of a socket 5 at any angle possible when a interchangeable shoe 41 is in use.

[0054] The sole component 1 (outsole 4, midsole 3, and insole 2) is generally created using traditional techniques, such as cutting out and molding or modern techniques, such as additive manufacturing (AM), subtractive manufacturing, and automated overmolding (to reduce labor and shipping cost and increase markets) with materials including but not limited to leathers, Ethylene vinyl acetate, polyurethanes, thermoplastic rubber, Poly-Vinyl Chloride, and metals; methods for this technique are well known in their fields of art. The sole component 1 preferably has at least three layers, unless only two layers are needed when the midsole 3 and insole 2 are formed as one-piece because the socket 5 has to be installed between the outsole 4 and the midsole 3 or unless only one hard layer is needed when a socket 5 is snapped in from above and a soft footbed is installed for aesthetics and cushion. When the style permits, the insole 2 could be molded as one-piece with the midsole 3 to hold down the flanges 8, strengthening the fastening of the socket 5 and reducing manufacturing steps. Layers are attached using adhesive or snaps when applicable. AM would consist of numerous layers and the insertion of the socket 5 by a robotic arm after layer is formed that the socket 5 rest on is preferred. Utilizing a coupling device described above with AM would allow for various types of upper components 40 to be implemented on seamless three-dimensional midsole 3 designs not easily created by other means, thus increasing comfort and design possibilities of interchangeable shoes 41 manufactured using AM.

[0055] In a preferred embodiment, there are three layers for the sole component 1 (the outsole 4, midsole 3, and insole) plus at least one layers for a heal. The outsole 4 layer underneath the socket 5 is preferred to be a three millimeters thick continuous layer of leather, or rubber, all the way across from front to back and side to side to increase strength. The midsole 3 layer begins at a forward point in the sole component 1 and gradually become as thick as the height of the socket 5 and is preferably made of EVA or similar material. The midsole 3 has two cavities on each side with the inverse geometry of the socket 5 so that when the socket 5 is inserted tightly into the cavities of the midsole 3, the socket face 27 is flush with the side of the midsole 3. Cavities in the midsole 3 for the flanges 8 would allow for the midsole 3 to be over the flanges 8 and hold them down to secure the attachment of the socket 5. Leather and rubber interchangeable shoes 41 may be buffed and consist of a socket 5 with a perimeter that is flush with sole component side 12, but the face would start to become slightly concave inside of the perimeter so that the face would not get scratched when the side of the sole component 1 is smoothed and buffed during manufacturing. The socket face 27 and sole component side 12 slant inwards from top to bottom for a more feminine appearance. The insole 2 has a continuous and sturdy layer across the tops of the socket 5 to increase the immovability of the socket 5. There are slits 11 in the insole 2 for the plug 26 to attach to the socket 5. Permanent front uppers or the figure in the thong-style is attached using adhesive. The switchable upper components 40 are preferably attached to the plug 26 by traditional techniques, such as sewing and using adhesive, or overmolding may be used with certain materials by implementing a ring design to the upper component 40 since the plug 26 does not have orifices where flowable resin would seep into. For the front attachment of thong-type upper components 40, a conventional buckle 48 or button is preferred attached to the interchangeable shoe 41 finger 47 that runs between to a person's toes.

Construction and Operation:

[0056] FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of the inventive subject matter of a sole component 1 of the interchangeable shoe 41, such as a woman's flat sandal, comprising the layers that are bonded together using adhesive. The sole component 1 has an insole 2, midsole 3, outsole 4 and two sockets 5 that are implanted between the layers of the sole component 1. A view of the midsole bottom side 6 depicts how the socket 5, comprising of an anchor 7 and flange 8, is implanted within the midsole 3 flange cavities 9. A view of the insole bottom side 10 depicts the insole slits 11 that are lined up with the two sockets 5.

[0057] FIG. 2A illustrates the layers together that were exploded in FIG. 1 to form a finished sole component 1.

[0058] FIG. 2B, the sole component 1 from above and from the perspective of looking down, depicts the continuous insole top surface 13 and the thin slits 11 that the plug 26 goes through to engage with the socket 5. Both these figures most importantly show how the preferably three millimeter thick insole 2 securely hold down the socket 5 and how a socket 5 exposed from the side for easy operation can have a low profile look by being flush with the sole component side 12.

[0059] FIG. 3, the midsole 3 from above, depicts how the midsole 3 overlaps the flanges 8 of the socket 5.

[0060] FIG. 4A is a plane view of the socket 5 seen from the top and depicts the socket top surface 14. The socket 5 has a socket shaft 15 and a flexible joint 16 level with the top surface 14 that is stabilized by the sturdy insole 2 that is secure across and above the flexible joint 16. The socket shaft 15 is generally oriented parallel to the nearest lateral sole component side 12. The pawl 17 communicates with the stabilizing lever 18 through an aperture 19 (see FIG. 5B) in the outermost socket wall 20 of the socket 5. The stabilizing lever face 21 is positioned proximate inside of the outermost socket wall 20, as shown by the cut-away portion of the socket 5 of FIG. 6. This view also depicts the center socket wall 22, innermost socket wall 23 forming the anchor 7, and the two side socket walls 24.

[0061] FIG. 4B is a plane of the socket 5 seen from below that shows the opening of the socket shaft 15 at the bottom so that the socket 5 may be molded as one piece. The thin layer across the anchor bottom 25 for adhesive is also seen.

[0062] FIG. 5A, the plug 26 and the socket 5 from the side. The plug 26 is molded as one continuous piece and has generally a flat shape. The socket 5 is molded as one continuous piece and has a generally rectangular shape. The material may be selected from materials including but not limited to plastics, metal, and rubber. This view also shows how the socket face 27 is flat at the socket face perimeter 28 and concave towards its center.

[0063] FIG. 5B, is a frontal view of the plug 26 and socket 5 that shows the Aperture 19 through the outermost socket wall 20 and the stabilizing lever face 21. The narrow gap between the stabilizer lever 18 and aperture roof 29 enables the locking mechanism to lock and also prevents the flexible joint 16 from overextending and failing once the stabilizing lever 18 is pulled against the aperture roof 29. This view also depicts the two prongs 30 and two overhangs 31 on the plug 26. On the socket 5, the two aligning tabs 32 are seen. The dash line between the overhang 31 and aligning tab 32 show how the Plug 26 is inserted into the socket 5. This figure clearly shows the overhangs 31 on each side of the plug 26 that prevent the plug 26 from tilting further into the socket 5 such that one prong 30 would be further in the socket 5 than the other prong 30, which could force the teeth 33 apart.

[0064] FIG. 5C is a rear view of the plug 26 and socket 5 that depicts the plug teeth 33.

[0065] FIG. 5D is a cross-sectional view of the plug 26 and socket 5 in FIG. 5B through line 5D-5D shown. This figure depicts the dimensions of an upper component 40 pawl tooth 34 and lower pawl tooth 35, as well as a complementary upper component 40 plug tooth 36 and lower plug tooth 37. This figure also shows how the stabilizing lever 21 is within the perimeter of the socket face 27. In this view, the length and thinness of the horizontal flexible joint 16 flush with the top of the socket 5 is seen, as well as the pawl 17 connected to the both the flexible joint 16 and stabilizer lever 18. Furthermore, this view depicts the kink 38 of the plug 26 that positions the upper component 40 to attach closer to the sole component side 12, which allows the sole component 1 to have a thin fashionable appearance.

[0066] FIG. 6 is a view of the plug 26 from the left side at a slight angle clearly showing the teeth 33.

[0067] FIG. 7 depicts the fastening device 38 wherein the plug 26 inserted and engaged with the socket 5. In this view, the prong 30 is straddling the stabilizing lever 18. This view also depicts how the flexible joint 16 cannot flex between the prong 30 and center socket wall 22 and therefore prevents the pawl 17 from being forced open by the prongs 30. This figure further shows how there is space between the top of the prong 30 and top of the pawl 17, so that when engaged, the plug 26 is further prevented from pushing the pawl 17 into a disengaged position when the plug 26 is pulled towards the center of the sole, which occurs when a user moderately and naturally twist their ankle.

[0068] FIG. 8 shows the fastening device 38 wherein the plug 26 is inserted and in the disengaged position that occurs when a person's finger pulls down on the stabilizer lever 18. This view depicts how the stabilizing lever face 21 moves downwards and stays within reach of a person's finger when disengaging the fastening device 38.

[0069] FIG. 9 is a view of a sole component 1 and a detached upper component 40 that may be assembled into a interchangeable shoe 41 by means of two coupling devices of the present inventive subject matter. This view also depicts how a plug 26 goes through slits 11 in the insole 2 and engages with the sockets 5. A like number of plugs 26 are attached to the upper component 40 bottom edge 39. Each socket 5 comprises a pawl 17 to engage with its corresponding plug 26.

[0070] FIG. 10 is a view of a sole component 1 and an attached upper component 40. Specifically, this view depicts an assembled interchangeable shoe 41 wherein the interchangeable shoe 41 is compatible with an upper component 40 that is a low ankle-type upper component 40 43 securely attached to a slide-type sole component 49 comprising a toe box 42. In this view the fastening device 38 is seen flush and fashionable with the sole component side 12.

[0071] FIG. 11 is a view of an assembled interchangeable shoe 41 wherein the attached upper component 40 is cuff upper component 44.

[0072] FIG. 12 is a view of an assembled interchangeable shoe 41 wherein the attached upper component 40 is a wraparound gladiator upper component 45.

[0073] FIG. 13 is a view of a sole component 1 and an attached upper component 40. Specifically, this view depicts an assembled interchangeable shoe 41 wherein the interchangeable shoe 41 is compatible with an upper component 40 that is a thong-type upper component 46 securely attached to a thong-type sole component 50 comprising a finger 47 comprising a conventional buckle 48.

Manufacture:

[0074] Molding Plastic and metal fasteners is well known in the industry. Preferably, the fastening device 38 is molded using a class one production mold for the intricate features.

[0075] The midsole 3 may be molded to insure proper dimensions; however other additive and subtractive manufacturing techniques may also be utilized. The insole 2 and outsole 4 may be cutout using a die, techniques are well known in the art. When the insole 2 is cutout, the slits 11 that the plugs 26 will go through to attach an upper component 40 may be cutout at the same time with a die that cuts out the insole 2. The midsole 3 is approximately the same height as the socket 5 and it is preferred that the midsole 3 and socket 5 be less than eight millimeters from bottom to top excluding the aligning tabs 32. It is preferred that the aligning tabs 32 protrude two to three millimeters up from the socket 5. The socket 5 is preferably implanted in the midsole 3 and then the midsole 3 comprising at least one socket 5 lined up to the slits 11 within the insole 4 using the aligning tabs 32 to insure the socket shaft 15 is unobstructed such that the plug 26 slides into the socket shaft 15 smoothly. Once the adhesive is heated and dried the sole component sides 12 are smoothed with a sander and buffer with wax preferably so that the socket face 27 and midsole 3 is flush with the outsole 4 and insole 2. The buffering gives the leather a more high-end look. The socket face perimeter 28 may be extended out (not shown) from the socket face 27 approximately one millimeter to avoid grinding down the concave portion of the socket face 27. By extending the socket face perimeter 28, a rubber buffer with a bulge (not shown), to squeeze between the top of the stabilizer lever 18 and aperture 19, may be placed between the socket face 27 and a thin flexible wrap (not shown) to conceal the socket face 27 without decreasing the easy user-ability experienced with an exposed socket face 27. It is preferred that the material to mold the midsole 3 is a light firm material such as Ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) or polyurethane. Multiple additional layers of leather or leather-like material may also be used for the midsole 3, but the advanced EVA materials reduce weight and give the interchangeable shoe 41 more cushion and flexibility without compromising how the socket 5 is impeded securely. The toe box 42 and finger 47 may be attached to the sole component 1 using conventional methods. The plug 26 may be attached to an upper component 40 by sewing and applying adhesive. Other methods include overmolding rubber upper components 40 to modified plugs (not shown).