Selectable Configuration PLatform Shoe with Interlayer Keys

Abstract

A platform shoe has a wearer-determinable configuration. The shoe comprises a footwear upper. A housing bottom member has a top surface and a bottom surface. The bottom surface of the housing bottom member defines a housing bottom member anchoring shape. A platform member has a top platform surface and a bottom platform surface, the top platform surface of the platform member defines a platform top anchoring shape. The platform top anchoring shape mates with the housing bottom member anchoring shape. The bottom platform surface of the platform member defines a platform bottom anchoring shape. A base member has a top base surface and a bottom base surface, the top base surface of the base member defines a base top anchoring shape. The base top anchoring shape mates with the platform bottom anchoring shape. The base member is configured to underlie and support the platform member.

Claims

1. A platform shoe with a wearer-determinable configuration, comprising: (a) a footwear upper for housing a foot of a wearer, said footwear upper defining a lower attachment surface; (b) a housing bottom member, said housing bottom member having a top surface and a bottom surface, the top surface of said housing bottom member being secured to said lower attachment surface of said footwear upper, said bottom surface of said housing bottom member defining a housing bottom member anchoring shape, said housing bottom member configured to underlie the foot of the wearer, said housing bottom member and said footwear upper defining a volume to receive the foot of the wearer; (c) a platform member, said platform member having a top platform surface and a bottom platform surface, said top platform surface of said platform member defining a platform top anchoring shape, said platform top anchoring shape mating with said housing bottom member anchoring shape, said housing bottom member anchoring shape being positioned to overlie said platform top anchoring shape when said housing bottom member is aligned with said platform member, said bottom platform surface of said platform member defining a platform bottom anchoring shape, and said platform member being configured to underlie and support the housing bottom member; and (d) a base member, said base member having a top base surface and a bottom base surface, said top base surface of said base member defining a base top anchoring shape, said base top anchoring shape mating with said platform bottom anchoring shape; said platform bottom anchoring shape being positioned to overlie said base top anchoring shape when said platform member is aligned with said base member, said base member being configured to underlie and support the platform member.

2. A platform shoe as in claim 1, further comprising securement structure for securing said housing bottom member, platform member and base member into a single unitary body.

3. A platform shoe as in claim 2, wherein said housing bottom member, platform member and base member define interfaces where they meet, and said securement structure comprises pairs of upper and lower mating securement members, the upper mating securement member of each pair being secured to the bottom of one member at the interface and the lower mating securement member of each pair being secured to the top of the other member at said interface.

4. A platform shoe as in claim 3, further comprising a single connection assembly for coupling said housing bottom, platform and base members together.

5. A platform shoe as in claim 4, wherein said single connection assembly comprises an elongated member having two ends, one of said and being securable into said housing bottom member, the other of said and being securable into said base member, said elongated member passing through holes defined in said platform member.

6. A platform shoe as in claim 3, wherein said pairs of upper and lower mating securement members releasably secure to each other and allow for limited movement in a plane defined by the respective member to which they are secured, and wherein the mating securement members are secured within cavities defined within the surfaces to which they are secured.

7. A platform shoe as in claim 6, wherein said top and bottom anchoring shapes define mating male and female surfaces, whereby alignment between members is effected.

8. A platform shoe as in claim 6, wherein said securement members comprise hook and loop type contact engagement and releasable securement structures.

9. A platform shoe as in claim 8, further comprising a single connection assembly for coupling said housing bottom, platform and base members together.

10. A platform shoe as in claim 9, wherein said single connection assembly comprises an elongated member having two ends, one of said and being securable into said housing bottom member, the other of said and being securable into said base member, said elongated member passing through holes defined in said platform member.

11. A platform shoe as in claim 10, wherein said top anchoring shapes are female, and said bottom anchoring shapes are male.

12. A platform shoe as in claim 2, further comprising a single connection assembly for coupling said housing bottom, platform and base members together.

13. A platform shoe as in claim 12, wherein said single connection assembly comprises an elongated member having two ends, one of said and being securable into said housing bottom member, the other of said and being securable into said base member, said elongated member passing through holes defined in said platform member.

14. A platform shoe as in claim 13, wherein said housing bottom member, platform member and base member define interfaces where they meet, and said securement structure comprises pairs of upper and lower mating securement members, the upper mating securement member of each pair being secured to the bottom of one member at the interface and the lower mating securement member of each pair being secured to the top of the other member at said interface.

15. A platform shoe as in claim 14, wherein said pairs of upper and lower mating securement members releasably secure to each other and allow for limited movement in a plane defined by the respective member to which they are secured, and wherein the mating securement members are secured within cavities defined within the surfaces to which they are secured.

16. A platform shoe as in claim 15, wherein said securement members comprise hook and loop type contact engagement and releasable securement structures.

17. A platform shoe as in claim 1, wherein said top and bottom anchoring shapes define mating male and female surfaces, whereby alignment between members is effected.

18. A platform shoe as in claim 17, wherein said top anchoring shapes are female, and said bottom anchoring shapes are male.

19. A platform shoe as in claim 17, wherein said securement members comprise hook and loop type contact engagement and releasable securement structures.

20. A platform shoe as in claim 19, wherein said securement members are glued within recesses in the surfaces to which they are attached.

21. A platform shoe as in claim 20, wherein said securement members form a connection of a relatively flexible nature, and said securement members are positioned near the center of the surface to which they are attached, whereby the flexible nature of the connection allows adjustment in the relative position of the members.

22. A platform shoe as in claim 1, further comprising (i) a first connector rigidly secured in said footwear upper, (ii) a second connector secured within said base member, and (iii) an elongated member having a top and bottom end, said top end mating with said first connector, and said bottom end mating with said second connector, whereby said first and second connectors and said elongated member may be secured to each other to form a single securement structure binding said housing bottom member, platform member and base member together.

23. A platform shoe as in claim 22, wherein said elongated member has threads at its bottom and top end, wherein said top end of said elongated member may be screwed into said first connector, wherein said second connector is rotatably mounted on said base member and positioned within said base member, said second connector having a threaded bore for receiving and mating with the threads on the bottom end of the elongated member, and wherein said bottom end of said elongated member may be engaged within the bore of said second connector by said second connector being rotated.

24. A platform shoe as in claim 23, further comprising structure secured to said base member for preventing said second connector from falling out of said base member.

25. A platform shoe with a wearer-determinable configuration, comprising: (a) a footwear upper for housing a foot of a wearer, said footwear upper defining a lower attachment surface; (b) a housing bottom member, said housing bottom member having a top surface and a bottom surface, the top surface of said housing bottom member being secured to said lower attachment surface of said footwear upper, said housing bottom member configured to underlie the foot of the wearer, said housing bottom member and said footwear upper defining a volume for receiving the foot of the wearer; (c) a platform member, said platform member having a top platform surface and a bottom platform surface, said top platform surface of said platform member defining a platform top anchoring shape, and said platform member being configured to underlie and support the housing bottom member; (d) a base member, said base member having a top base surface and a bottom base surface, said base member being configured to underlie and support the platform member; (e) a first connector rigidly secured in said footwear upper; (f) a second connector secured within said base member; and (g) an elongated member having a top and bottom end, said top end mating with said first connector, and said bottom end mating with said second connector, whereby said first and second connectors and said elongated member may be secured to each other to form a single securement structure binding said housing bottom member, platform member and base member together.

26. A platform shoe as in claim 25, wherein said elongated member has threads at its bottom and top end, wherein said top end of said elongated member may be screwed into said first connector, wherein said second connector is rotatably mounted on said base member and positioned within said base member, said second connector having a threaded bore for receiving and mating with the threads on the bottom end of the elongated member, and wherein said bottom end of said elongated member may be engaged within the bore of said second connector by said second connector being rotated.

27. A platform shoe as in claim 26, further comprising structure secured to said base member for preventing said second connector from falling out of said base member.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION THE DRAWINGS

[0033] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and constitute part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure. The embodiments illustrated herein are presently preferred, it being understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown, wherein:

[0034] FIG. 1 illustrates the inventive platform shoe and kit and its parts in a schematic cross sectional side plan view;

[0035] FIG. 2 is a cross sectional side view of a screw assembly for connecting together sole members of the inventive shoe;

[0036] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view from the top of the disassembled platform shoe facing the top of the shoe;

[0037] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view from the bottom of the disassembled platform shoe facing the bottom of the shoe;

[0038] FIG. 5a is a top plan view of a top platform component of the platform shoe of the present invention;

[0039] FIG. 5b is a top plan view of a middle platform component of the platform shoe of the present invention;

[0040] FIG. 5c is a top plan view of a bottom/sole platform component of the platform shoe of the present invention;

[0041] FIG. 5d is a bottom plan view of a top platform component of the platform shoe of the present invention;

[0042] FIG. 5e is a bottom plan view of a middle platform component of the platform shoe of the present invention;

[0043] FIG. 5f is a bottom plan view of a bottom/sole platform component of the platform shoe of the present invention;

[0044] FIGS. 6a-h are views of the components of the connection components assembly of the platform shoe in front elevational, back elevational, and side profile, and are illustrated in the order of an exploded view for clarity of illustration, with FIG. 6a being a side view of an anchor;

[0045] FIG. 6b is a top view of the anchor of FIG. 6a of the connection components assembly;

[0046] FIG. 6c is a bottom view of a plug which is part of the connection components assembly;

[0047] FIG. 6d is a top view of the plug of FIG. 6c;

[0048] FIG. 6e is a cross-sectional view of the plug of FIG. 6c;

[0049] FIG. 6f is a top view of a washer which is part of of the connection components assembly;

[0050] FIG. 6g is a cross-sectional view of the washer of FIG. 6f;

[0051] FIG. 6h is a partial side view of an elongated threaded member which is part of the connection components assembly;

[0052] FIG. 7 is a view of the layers of the platform shoe in schematic cross section;

[0053] FIG. 8 is a view of an alternative embodiment of the invention showing the layers of the platform shoe in schematic cross section;

[0054] FIG. 9 is a perspective view from the top of an alternative embodiment of the invention in the assembled shoe form;

[0055] FIG. 10 is a perspective view from the bottom of the alternative embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 9 in the assembled shoe form;

[0056] FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view from the bottom of the alternative embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 9;

[0057] FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view from the top of the alternative embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 9;

[0058] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the inventive shoe of FIG. 9;

[0059] FIG. 14 is a perspective view from the top of a member in an alternative embodiment of the invention in which material has been removed to hollow out the member to reduce weight while retaining those portions of the members required for support, and in accordance with which all members may be hollowed out; and

[0060] FIG. 15 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the shoe of FIG. 14.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0061] Referring to FIGS. 1-7, the inventive platform shoe 10 comprises a shoe upper 12. Shoe upper 12 comprises an attachment subportion 13 positioned at the bottom of shoe upper 12. Attachment subportion 13 defines a lower attachment surface 17.

[0062] A sole member 14 has a top face 16 (FIGS. 1, 3 and 5) and a bottom face 18. An attachment surface 17 is secured to a top face 16, for example by glue 19. Alternatively or in addition, screws may be used.

[0063] An intermediate platform layer 20 has a top face 22 (FIGS. 1, 3 and 5) and a bottom portion 24 (FIGS. 4 and 5). A tread member 26 has a top portion 28 (FIGS. 3 and 5) and a bottom portion 30 (FIGS. 4 and 5). Anchor-housing recesses 34 house a set of anchors 37 with internal threads 38.

[0064] Housing attachment subportion 13 is stitched or glued to top portion/face 16 of sole member 14 such that lower support surface 17 is secured to top portion 16 of sole member 14.

[0065] Bottom portion 18 of sole member 14 has a set of alignment recesses 32 (FIGS. 4 and 5), a set of anchor-housing recesses 34 (FIGS. 4 and 5), and a shallow set of attachment fabric receiving recesses 36 (FIGS. 4 and 5) along the length of bottom portion 18, as appears more fully below. Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, attachment hook fabric 39 (such as that sold under the trademark Velcro) is secured to and within shallow recesses 36 with glue.

[0066] Top portion 22 of platform member 20 has a set of studs 40 (FIGS. 3 and 5). Studs 40 mate with respective mating recesses 32 on the bottom portion 18 of the sole member 14.

[0067] A shallow set of attachment member receiving recesses 42 (FIGS. 3-5) are provided to receive attachment hook fabric 39. Recesses 42 correspond to shallow set of recesses 43 on bottom portion 18 of sole member 14. Attachment loop fabric 43 (such as that sold under the trademark Velcro) is secured to shallow recesses 36 with glue. Attachment loop fabric 43 mates with attachment hook fabric 39 such that sole member is affixed to platform member 20. Platform member 20 has a number of holes 44 which pass through platform member 20. Each hole 44 through platform member 20 lines up with its respective anchor-housing recesses 34 at bottom portion 18 of sole member 14. Bottom portion 24 of platform member 20 has a set of recesses 46 which support attachment fabric which mates with attachment fabric in mating recesses 50 on tread member 26 (FIGS. 4 and 5). A shallow set of recesses 48 (FIGS. 4 and 5) on platform member 20 align with corresponding recesses 54 on tread member 26. Attachment hook fabric 49 (such as that sold under the trademark Velcro) is positioned within and secured to shallow recesses 48 with glue.

[0068] Top face 28 of tread member 26 has a set of studs 50 (FIGS. 3 and 5) that mate with mating recesses 46 on platform member 20. Top face 28 also has a shallow set of recesses 52 (FIGS. 3 and 5), lining up with facing recesses 48 on the top face 22 of the platform members 20. Attachment loop fabric 53 is positioned within and secured by glue to shallow recesses 52. Attachment loop fabric 53 is mated with attachment hook fabric 49 so that tread member 26 is secured to platform member 20.

[0069] Tread member 26 has a number of holes 54 which pass through tread member 26. Holes 54 lineup with holes 44 through platform member 20. Bottom portion 30 of tread member 26 has a patterned tread 56 (FIGS. 3 and 5) and a number of cylindrical-shaped recessed portions 58 of a diameter wider than holes 54 through tread member 26, aligned with holes 54 through tread member 26. Top portion 28 of tread member 26 is mated with, and, when the shoe is assembled, bears against, bottom portion 24 of platform member 20.

[0070] The user can easily align the various layers by placing the mating studs into the mating recesses. In the same operation, the hook fabric is thereby mated with its corresponding loop fabric. Because of the shallow depth of the shallow recesses, there is substantially no space between the various layers once assembled. The tread member, the platform member and the sole are thereby aligned with and secured to one another. At the same time, holes 34, 44 and 54 provide access to the threaded members 62 to reach anchors 38 at the bottom portion 18 of sole member 14.

[0071] More particularly, in accordance with the invention, it is contemplated that the hook fabric will extend only slightly beyond the depth of the recesses within which it is mounted. Likewise, the loop fabric will extend only slightly beyond the depth of the recesses within which the loop fabric is mounted. When the parts of the shoe are put together, the extending parts of the hook fabric are driven into the extending parts of the loop fabric. This results in extending parts of the loop fabric being in the recess that houses the hook fabric, while extending parts of the hook fabric are contained within the recess housing the hook fabric.

[0072] Referring to FIG. 2, screw assembly 60 performs the function of securing the tread, platform and sole members to each other. Screw assembly 60 is comprised of an anchor 66, a threaded member 62, a plug 68 with a top 70 and a bottom 72, and a washer 64, which functions to retain the plug 68 on threaded member 62, securing the platform members and the other parts of the inventive shoe to each other as a single unitary member.

[0073] In accordance with the present invention, the inventive kit is provided with a number of threaded members 62 of different height to accommodate numbers of platform members and/or platform members of different thicknesses. In the example illustrated, two threaded members (for one shoe) of smaller length may be used to secure the sole to the tread member without the platform member in between them. Likewise, two threaded members of longer length may be used to secure the sole member to the tread member with the platform member in between them for each shoe. Threaded member 62 is thus of a height selectable by the user based on the number of platform members 20 used to assemble platform shoe 10. Longer members may also be provided to accommodate multiple platform members.

[0074] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, washer 64 has an outer diameter of the same diameter as recessed portions 58 at bottom face 30 of tread member 26, an inner diameter of the same size as holes 54 through tread member 26 passes, and a thickness strength sufficient to retain head 74. Anchor 66 has a diameter narrower than the inner diameter of washer 64. The peripheral edge of head 74 defines a peripheral shoulder for engaging washer 64. Washer 64 is glued to plug 68 at one end. Plug 68 has a diameter wider than the inner diameter of washer 64 and narrower than the outer diameter of washer 64 and a thickness sufficient to hold head 74 against plug 68.

[0075] Anchor 66 (illustrated in the exploded plan/elevational view of FIGS. 6a-h) has a hex socket 76 at the end of and within the head of anchor 66 (FIG. 6a-b). Plug 68 (FIG. 6a) has the same diameter as washer 64 (FIG. 6f-g) and a height (FIG. 6e) such that, when combined with the thickness of washer 64 (FIG. 6g), it is the same as the depth of recessed portion 58 at bottom face 30 of tread member 26. A hole 78 with diameter wider than hex socket 76 in anchor 66 extends from top 70 of plug 68 (FIG. 6d) to bottom 72 of plug 68. Top 70 of plug 68 has a recessed portion 80 of the same diameter as peripheral head 74 of anchor 66 and the same depth as the thickness of peripheral head 74 of anchor 66.

[0076] The inner bore of anchor 66 extending from peripheral head 74 mates with threaded member 62. Threaded member 62 passes through washer 64 such that washer 64 is seated on peripheral head 74 of anchor 66. Top 70 of plug 68 is glued to washer 64 such that anchor 66 may rotate freely between washer 64 and plug 68.

[0077] Referring to FIG. 1, each screw assembly 60 is passed through holes 54 of tread member 26 and holes 44 of platform member 20 such that threaded member 62 is mated with anchors 38 secured within bottom portion 14 of sole member 14. More particularly, anchors 38 have a threaded bore 77 with threads which mate with the threads on threaded member 62. Hex socket 76 (FIG. 6b) of anchor 66 in screw assembly 60 faces hole 78 in plug 68 such that a hex wrench 82 (FIG. 2) may be inserted into plug 68 and mated with hex socket 76 to rotate anchor 66, thus advancing and shortening the distance between sole member 14 and tread member 26 to securely fasten platform shoe 10 together in one unitary piece with the sole, platform and tread members in firm contact with each other.

[0078] In accordance with the invention, it is contemplated that the parts illustrated in the structure of FIG. 1, and illustrated in exploded perspective in FIG. 3 will be assembled by the user with a number of platform members, as selected by the user to determine the height of the finished platform shoe of the invention. Such assembly is facilitated by use of the mating studs (e.g. studs 40) which mate with the mating recesses e.g. recesses 36, and thus ensure proper positioning of the various elements of the inventive platform sneaker. The hook and loop fabric pieces (each glued to its respective platform or other element) are employed to keep the various elements together when the user has tightened the screw assembly described above. The user then passes screw assembly 60 through the holes in tread member 26 and platform member 20, thereby using hex wrench 82 to secure screw assembly 60 to anchor 38 which results in making the inventive platform shoe 10 a solid, unitary and stable object.

[0079] Alternatively, it is contemplated that all parts may be interchangeable between a left and right shoe. In accordance with this embodiment of the inventive platform shoe (not illustrated but similar to FIG. 5a-f), additional convenience is provided by configuring all layers to be interchangeable. More particularly, as between a left and right shoe, layers and surfaces for the respective left and right shoes are mirror images of each other. By reversing the type of connector put on the various parts of the inventive sneaker, layers which could be positioned on the left shoe may be flipped over and used on the right shoe.

[0080] Thus, the corresponding sole member would have corresponding mating recesses on the corresponding top sole surface and the corresponding bottom sole surface. The corresponding sole member would also have corresponding shallow recesses on the corresponding top sole surface and the corresponding bottom sole surface, and both of these would receive hook fabric.

[0081] In corresponding fashion, the corresponding shallow recesses all receive loop fabric thus ensuring proper engagement regardless of the orientation of the platform member.

[0082] The corresponding anchors the corresponding are then secured in both surfaces within corresponding holes for receiving a corresponding threaded member. The corresponding attachment subportion would be stitched or glued to either surface of the corresponding sole member, depending on whether it is for the right or left shoe. Similarly, the corresponding platform member would have studs on both sides, allowing them to be mated with either surface of the corresponding sole member. Finally, the corresponding tread member would have patterned tread on both sides and mating recesses on both sides, allowing them to be mated with either surface of the corresponding platform member. To allow the corresponding screw assembly to properly engage both surfaces of the corresponding tread member, the corresponding holes through the corresponding tread member are of the same diameter as the corresponding plug and an annular ridge is positioned in the center of holes 54a. Thus, all layers of the corresponding platform shoe are interchangeable between the right and left shoes and the desired result is achieved.

[0083] Turning to FIGS. 9 and 10, an alternative embodiment of a platform shoe or sneaker 110 constructed in accordance with the invention is illustrated. Generally, shoe 110 comprises a shoe upper 112 which performs the function of housing and protecting the foot of the wearer in a conventional manner. Shoe upper 110 is glued to a sole-like shoe housing bottom 114. Shoe 110 further comprises a top platform member 116, a middle platform member 118, and a platform base 120.

[0084] Joining of the shoe upper 112 to the platform members 116 and 118, and to the platform base 120 is performed by any connection structure, such as a pair of bolts 122 which may be part of a connection structure such as that illustrated above in connection with the embodiment of FIGS. 1-2. More particularly, bolts 122 cooperate with corresponding screw assemblies, such as screw assembly 60 illustrated in FIG. 2.

[0085] Turning to the details of the connection structure illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, the bottom of shoe bottom 114 (FIG. 11) includes a pair of recesses 124, which receive a connection fabric, for example one made of Velcro brand connection material, as more fully described below. Such recesses 124 are also included on the bottom of platform members 116 and 118.

[0086] When shoe 110 is assembled as illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, with shoe upper 112 in contact with top platform member 116, and with top platform member 116 in contact with middle platform member 118, and with middle platform member 118 in contact with platform base 120, each of the recesses 124 is positioned in facing relationship to, and substantially overlie, corresponding recesses 126. Corresponding recesses 126 are disposed in the top of top platform member on 116, middle platform member 118, and platform base 120.

[0087] Referring to FIGS. 9-13, recesses 124 have strips of hook connection material 128 glued within them. Hook connection material 128 includes hooks (not illustrated) in a manner conventional to such materials, for example those materials manufactured and sold under the trademark Velcro. Of course, various hook like structure may be used, as is known to those of skill in the art. The strips of hook connection material 128 are substantially the same size in length and width as their respective recesses 124. The thickness of strips of hook connection material 128 is slightly greater than the thickness of recesses 124. The hooks of strips of hook connection material 128 extend partially out of their respective recesses.

[0088] In similar fashion, corresponding recesses 126 have strips of loop connection material 130 glued within them. Look connection material 130 incorporates connection loops in a manner conventional and well-known in the art. The strips of loop connection material 130 are substantially the same size in length and width as their respective corresponding recesses 126. The thickness of strips of loop connection material 130 is slightly greater than the thickness of recesses corresponding recesses 126. The loops of strips of loop connection material 128 extend partially out of their respective corresponding recesses 126. In this manner, hooks on hook connection material 128 may be brought into engagement with loops on loop connection material 130 when the respective top surfaces of the bottom member 114, top platform member 116, middle platform member 118, and platform base 120 are brought into contact with each other as illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10. In this position, respective bottom and top surfaces thereof are in contact with each other as illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10. In addition, in this position, the hooks of strips of hook connection material 128 are in engagement with the loops of loop connection material 130.

[0089] Because the strips of hook connection material 128 and the strips of loop connection material 130 are relatively small, they are easily aligned, even after some contact is made between the strips of hook connection material 128 and the strips of loop connection material 130. This is helpful to adjust the relative positions of the various components of the inventive sneaker 110 when bolts 122 are inserted to complete the structure, which is illustrated in FIG. 13.

[0090] Such alignment is further facilitated by tapered pyramidal studs 132, which mate with mating pyramidal sockets 134. The tapered/pyramidal shape of studs 132 has the advantage of guiding adjacent platform, bottom and platform sole members together in alignment.

[0091] Generally, it is contemplated that the user may select any number of platform members in order to obtain a platform of desired height. Likewise, different sculptural designs of platform members may be used to get different looks.

[0092] While platform base 120 includes a textured surface 121 which promotes, in accordance with an alternative embodiment, a platform member similar to platform member 116 or 118 may be used for the purpose of avoiding unnecessary to tooling costs. The presence of a pyramidal socket 134 will not affect use of the shoe. Likewise, the pair of recesses 124 on the bottom of the shoe will also not affect use of the shoe. In accordance with a variation of this alternative, textured surface 121 is included on members 114, 116, 118 and 120.

[0093] Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, and in particular to the prospective view of FIG. 14, in accordance with another alternative embodiment of the invention, hollowed out members are provided to reduce costs and to reduce the weight of the shoe when it is being worn. More particularly, referring to FIG. 15, shoe 210 includes four hollowed out members. More particularly, shoe upper 212 is supported by a bottom member 214. Bottom member 214 mates with and attaches to top platform member 216. Top platform member 216, in turn, is supported by an mates with middle platform member 218. Finally, a tread member in the form of a platform sole 220 is attached to the bottom of middle platform member 218 and mates therewith.

[0094] Shoe upper 212 is glued to bottom member 214. As alluded to above, platform sole 220, middle platform member 218, top platform is maintained around member 216 and bottom member 214 have portions hollowed out as compared to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 13. More particularly, those portions of these members which do not perform weight supporting functions or the function of housing connection and alignment structure are hollowed out.

[0095] By way of illustration the hollowing of the members is illustrated in FIG. 14, where the portions of the members remaining after hollowing out may clearly be seen. More particularly, referring to member 214 a block of material 236 is positioned with a bore 237 (positioned at its central axis) which receives bolt 222. A block of material 238 is formed with pyramidal socket 234. Bottom of material 240 has formed within it a recess 226 for receiving a strip of hook or loop connection material. Similarly, a block of material 242 is formed with a pyramidal socket 234 in its bottom and a tapered pyramidal stud 232 at the top of block of material 242a. Finally, a block of material 244 is positioned around a bore which receives bolt 222.

[0096] The structure formed by shoe upper 212 and its bottom member 214 is brought into contact with top platform member 216 and secured thereto. Similarly, top platform member 216 is brought into contact with middle platform member 218. Finally, platform sole 220 is brought into contact with the bottom of middle platform member 218 to form a structure which receives bolts 222 and screw assemblies or screws 260. The structure is maintained together by strips of hook connection material 228 and strips of loop connection material 230. Assembly is facilitated by tapered pyramidal studs 232 and their cooperating pyramidal sockets 234. The physical locking provided by pyramidal starts 232 and pyramidal sockets 234 combines with locking provided by the engagement of strips of hook connection material 228 with strips of loop connection material 230.

[0097] Finally, the structure is completed by the insertion of bolts 222 with their associated screw assemblies 260 into and through platform sole 220, middle platform member to 218, top platform member to 216 and bottom member 214. Such insertion is made after platform sole 220, middle platform member 218, top platform member 216 and bottom member 214 have been aligned and brought into contact with each other. The securement of the assembly is then completed by mounting and tightening bolts 260.

[0098] In another embodiment (not illustrated), the housing bottom, platform member and base member may be held together by another structure. For example, after the user has decided on the number and/or type of platforms, they may be glued, for example permanently, to each other, whether or not they incorporate hook-and-loop connectors and/or bolts. Another alternative is the use of rubber bands to secure the base to the housing bottom, with the rubber bands attached to the periphery of the base and housing, potentially thus providing for the introduction of one or more platform members between the base and the housing bottom by simply stretching the rubber bands.

[0099] 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. For example, in an alternative embodiment, four or more members may be used to form the inventive shoe. For example, such an alternative embodiment may comprise two intermediate platform layers positioned between a tread member and a sole member. The user may select the number of platform layers to use in putting together the user's shoe, for example, one or two intermediate layers. Accordingly, such an embodiment gives the user the ability to adjust the height of the shoe. Such modifications are within the scope of the invention which is limited and defined only by the following claims.