Abstract:
A shoe with reversible and moveable tops is presented and includes fasteners, such as snaps or zippers, positioned all around the base of the shoe in order for the top half of the shoe to be changed. The tops are made of various materials and different styles. There can be full-covered footwear, sandal-type or any type of strapped shoe for women or men.

Description:
RELATED FILINGS 
       [0001]    This invention has been previously disclosed in Disclosure Document Number 536219 dated Aug. 11, 2003, and this application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Applications 60/497,052 filed Aug. 22, 2003, 60/499,647 filed Sep. 3, 2003, and 60/529,952 filed Dec. 16, 2003, with each application fully incorporated herein by this reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to footwear, and more specifically, to shoes having interchangeable parts. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Shoes have evolved over the years from simple moccasins to more elaborate and sophisticated sneakers and athletic shoes. Despite these marvelous advancements in the footwear industry, there is nevertheless a challenge which exists with all footwear. Specifically, a shoe, once created, is unchangeable and therefore, presents a limitation to the wardrobe of the because the colors, styles and materials of the shoes as manufactured are fixed. 
         [0004]    In light of the above, it would be advantageous to provide footwear that can be changed according to the wearer&#39;s desired style and wardrobe requirements, such as color and shape. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The invention is a shoe with reversible and moveable tops. There are snaps all around the base of the shoe in order for the top half of the shoe to be changed. Tops are made of various materials and different styles. There can be full-covered footwear, sandal-type or any type of strapped shoe for women or men. 
         [0006]    The footwear of the present invention provides for a wardrobe solution in that the tops of the shoes may be modified as desired in order to change the appearance and structure of the footwear. In a preferred embodiment, the upper portion, or top, of the footwear can be removed and interchanged with another top to provide a different appearance. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0007]    The novel features of this invention, as well as the invention itself, both as to its structure and its operation, will be best understood from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is a side view of the shoe of the present invention showing a shoe sole having a heel and equipped with an array of fasteners attached to the side of the sole, and having an interchangeable top attached to the fasteners to form the top of the shoe; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the shoe of the present invention shown in  FIG. 1  with one side of the top detached from the sole illustrating the removable nature of the top; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a top plan view of a top for use in conjunction with the sole shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , and having an array of fasteners for positioning over corresponding fasteners on the sole and showing an image or ornamental feature (in dashed lines), and possibly having a different shape (also shown in dashed lines); 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the shoe of the present invention having fasteners positioned around the most of the perimeter of the sole; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of a top of the present invention having a different outer contour and shape; 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is an alternative embodiment of the shoe of the present invention having a front cover and a back portion both attached to the fasteners of the sole; 
           [0014]      FIG. 7-11 , each containing images A-D, are all examples of tops of the shoe of the present invention and are intended to show the virtually unlimited number of tops which can be interchanged on the shoe of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 12  is an alternative embodiment of the shoe of the present invention having a substantially flat sole; 
           [0016]      FIG. 13  is an alternative embodiment of the shoe of the present invention showing a sole equipped with a pair of zippers to receive corresponding zippers on the top; 
           [0017]      FIG. 14  is a view of the alternative embodiment shown in  FIG. 13 , with one zipper of the top undone showing the detachable nature of top and shoe; 
           [0018]      FIG. 15  is a plan view of a top of the present invention showing the zippers on the sides of the top and with a portion of the top shown turned over to demonstrate the dual-sided tops which provide for a different aesthetic appearance of the shoe of the present invention by unzipping the top, turning it over, and re-attaching it to the sole of the shoe of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 16  is an alternative embodiment of the present invention showing a full-cover upper having a perimeter zipper extending around the entire shoe sole to provide for the removal of the upper from the sole, and reversal and reattachment of the same upper, or replacement with another upper; 
           [0020]      FIG. 17  is an exploded view of the alternative embodiment shown in  FIG. 16 , with dashed lines showing the direction of attachment and the zipper separated into two portions; 
           [0021]      FIG. 18  is perspective view of the upper of the alternative embodiment of  FIGS. 16 and 17 , showing the inside surface of the upper having a different appearance than the outside surface of the upper; and 
           [0022]      FIG. 19  is another alternative embodiment of the present invention showing a sneaker-type sole having a fully removable and reversible upper attached to the sole with a perimeter zipper. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0023]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a side view of the shoe of the present invention showing a shoe sole having a heel is shown and generally designated  100 . Shoe  100  includes a sole  102  with a heel portion  104 , a toe portion  106 , and a heel  108 . An interchangeable top  109  has sides  111  formed with eyelets  110  sized to receive a fastener  112 , such as a snap or stud, or button. The sole  102  is equipped with an array of fasteners  112  spaced along the side of the sole  102 . 
         [0024]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , the shoe  100  of  FIG. 1  is shown with one side  111  of the top  109  detached from the sole  102  illustrating the removable nature of the top. The top is formed with a number of eyelets  110 . It is to be appreciated that eyelets  110  and fasteners  112  are merely exemplary of a preferred embodiment, and that any fastener known in the art is fully contemplated herein, including but not limited to Velcro, snaps, buttons, hooks, etc. 
         [0025]      FIG. 3  is a top plan view of a shoe top  150  of the present invention for use in conjunction with sole  102  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Top  150  is formed with an array of fasteners  110  for positioning over corresponding fasteners  112  on the sole  102 . Top  150  may include an artistic element, image, or ornamental feature  158  (shown in dashed lines), and possibly the edges  154  and  156  may be formed to have a different shape with contoured edges  154 ′ and  156 ′ (also shown in dashed lines). 
         [0026]      FIG. 4  is a side view of an modified embodiment of the shoe  100  of the present invention having fasteners  114  added to fasteners  112  that are positioned around the most of the perimeter of the sole  102 . 
         [0027]      FIG. 5  is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of a top of the present invention generally designated  200  having a body  202  having a different outer contour and shape  206 , and formed with a number of eyelets  204 , corresponding to fasteners attached to the sole of a shoe of the present invention. 
         [0028]    Referring now to  FIG. 6 , an alternative embodiment of the shoe of the present invention is shown and generally designated  220 . Shoe  220  includes a sole  222  having a heel portion  224  and a toe portion  226  with an array of fasteners  228  attached to the sides of the sole  222 . A heel  230  extends downward from sole  222 , but it is to be appreciated that shoe  220  may have a taller heel, a shorter heel, or not heel without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Also, shoe  220  is shown having a front cover  232  over at least a portion of toe portion  226 , and a back cover  234  around at least a portion of heel portion  224 , with covers  232  and  234  both attached to the fasteners of the sole. 
         [0029]      FIG. 7-11 , each containing images A-D, are all examples of tops of the shoe of the present invention and are intended to show the virtually unlimited number of tops which can be interchanged on the shoe of the present invention. A brief summary of each of the designs is presented below, but is to be understood as merely exemplary and not limiting. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 FIG. 
                 Brief Description 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                  7A 
                 A shoe having a twin strap in the form of an “X” across the toe 
               
               
                   
                 portion of the shoe 
               
               
                  7B 
                 A shoe having a single, wide strap across the toe portion 
               
               
                  7C 
                 A shoe having a dual strap parallel across the toe portion of the 
               
               
                   
                 shoe 
               
               
                  7D 
                 A shoe having a string laced across the front portion of the shoe 
               
               
                  8A 
                 A shoe having a cover over part of the front portion of the shoe 
               
               
                  8B 
                 A shoe having a combination of a strap and a tie string over the 
               
               
                   
                 foot 
               
               
                  8C 
                 A shoe having a cover formed with cut-out portions over the foot 
               
               
                  8D 
                 A shoe having a cover over the toe portion of the shoe, and a back 
               
               
                   
                 support piece to provide heel support at the heel portion of the 
               
               
                   
                 shoe 
               
               
                  9A 
                 A shoe having a narrow strap with an ornamental center buckle 
               
               
                  9B 
                 A shoe having a cover over the front of the foot with cut-out 
               
               
                   
                 portions 
               
               
                  9C 
                 A shoe having two straps in an “X” pattern over the front of the 
               
               
                   
                 shoe, and a strap attached to the heel portion and wrapping 
               
               
                   
                 around the ankle for attachment to fasteners on the sole 
               
               
                  9D 
                 A shoe having a cover formed with larger cut-out panels on the 
               
               
                   
                 foot portion of the shoe 
               
               
                 10A 
                 A shoe having a cover formed out of mesh material 
               
               
                 10B 
                 A shoe having a cover resembling a traditional sneaker or tennis 
               
               
                   
                 shoe with an entirely enclosed foot cover having a tongue and 
               
               
                   
                 laces 
               
               
                 10C 
                 A shoe having a chain cover 
               
               
                 10D 
                 A shoe having a cover with a leopard, or other design or pattern 
               
               
                 11A 
                 A shoe having a cover with a zebra stripe pattern 
               
               
                 11B 
                 A shoe having a child-oriented pattern, such as balloons 
               
               
                 11C 
                 A shoe having an abstract pattern consisting of shapes 
               
               
                 11D 
                 A shoe having thin straps which loop over the fasteners and which 
               
               
                   
                 may be made of an elastic material 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0030]      FIG. 12  is an alternative embodiment of the shoe of the present invention that is generally designated  280 . Shoe  280  includes a substantially flat sole  282  and a top  284 . Fasteners  286  extend from sole  282 , and receive eyelet or button hole  288 . In this embodiment, eyelet  288  is oriented in an up/down direction, as compared to the side-to-side direction of shoe  100 . 
         [0031]    Materials for use in the present invention are virtually limitless, and include all materials known in the art as applied to shoes. These materials may include, but are not limited to, leather, canvas, rubber, plastic, vinyl, cotton, nylon, or the like. Tops can be made from similar materials, as well as traditional metals such as chrome, brass, and stainless steel, for example. 
       Alternative Embodiments 
       [0032]    Referring now to  FIG. 13 , an alternative embodiment of the shoe of the present invention showing a shoe sole having a heel is shown and generally designated  300 . Shoe  300  has a sole  302  having a heel portion  304  and a toe portion  306 , and may be formed with a raised heel  308 . A detachable and interchangeable top  310  is attached to sole  302 . More specifically, a fixed zipper portion  312  is firmly attached to the sole  302 , and is designed to receive a zipper  314  for attaching a removable zipper portion  316  of top  310 .  FIG. 13  depicts the shoe  300  of the present invention with a top  310  firmly attached to the sole  302 , and ready for use. 
         [0033]    By moving zipper  314  in direction  317 , the top  310  may be removed from the sole  302 . For instance, referring now to  FIG. 14 , top  310  is shown partially detached from sole  302  as zipper  314  was moved in direction  317  such that removable zipper portion  316  is detached, or “unzipped” from fixed zipper portion  312 . Conversely, top  310  may be re-attached to sole  302  by placing removable zipper portion  316  adjacent fixed zipper portion  314 , and urging zipper  314  in direction  318 . 
         [0034]    It is to be appreciated from  FIGS. 13 and 14 , that top  310  may be completely detached from sole  302 . In fact, shoe  300  of the present invention may be equipped with several, interchangeable tops  310  which can be easily and simply detached, or “unzipped” from sole  302 , and changed in a matter of seconds to provide a shoe having a different fashion and aesthetic appearance. 
         [0035]    Referring to  FIG. 15 , a top  310  of the present invention is shown having a left and right removable zipper portion  316 . In a preferred embodiment, a first panel  320  of top  310  may be of a first material, and a second panel  322  (shown turned over in dashed lines) may be formed of a second material. First material and second material may be similar materials, such as with different colors, or different materials altogether, such as cloth and leather. The top  310  of the present invention is both interchangeable (changing one top  310  for another top  310 ), as well as reversible so that a single top  310  may provide two different styles, colors, textures, or imprints. 
         [0036]    Upper edge  324  and lower edge  326  can be contoured to provide a distinct visual appearance, and may have shapes consistent with the other embodiments of the present invention disclosed herein. Also, panels  320  and/or  322  may be produced with a design, such as heart-shaped embroidery  328  (shown in dashed lines). 
         [0037]    While several different embodiments of the shoe of the present invention have been shown herein, it is to be appreciated that these embodiments are not exclusive. Rather, the present embodiments are exemplary of the preferred embodiments, and that other embodiments of the present invention may be constructed by mixing and combining various aspects of the presently preferred embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention. 
         [0038]    Referring now to  FIG. 16 , an alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown and generally designated  400 . Shoe  400  includes a sole  402  having a heel  404  and equipped with a full-cover upper  406  having a perimeter zipper  408  extending around the entire shoe sole  402  to provide for the removal of the upper  408  from the sole  402 . Upper  408  may be removed from sole  402  by advancing zipper  410  in direction  412  around the entire sole  402 . Once removed, the upper  406  may be reversed and reattached to sole  402 . Alternatively, instead of using the same upper  406 , a separate upper (not shown) may be attached to sole  402  to provide an alternative visual effect, or a different style of upper. 
         [0039]    With reference to  FIG. 17 , the shoe  400  of  FIG. 16  is shown in an exploded view, with dashed lines  416  showing the direction of attachment of the upper  406  from sole  402 , and the zipper  408  separated into two portions  408 A and  408 B. 
         [0040]    In a preferred embodiment, upper  406  may be made from any materials known in the art, including but not limited to denim, canvas, leather, and terry cloth. From  FIG. 18 , a perspective view of the upper  406  of the alternative embodiment of  FIGS. 16 and 17 , shows the inside surface  420  of the upper  406  having a different appearance, color, texture, and/or material than the outside surface  418  of the upper  406 . This provides for the detachment of the upper  406  from sole  402  and reversal of the upper  406  such that outside surface  418  becomes inside surface  420  thereby exposing inside surface  418 . Once reversed, the upper  406  may be re-attached to sole  402  with zipper  408  by placing zipper portion  408 A adjacent zipper portion  408 B and advancing zipper  410  around the sole  402 . 
         [0041]    Laces  414  may be positioned on the upper  406  such that the shoe  400  may be tied upon the wearer&#39;s foot simply by reversing the position of the bow. This provides for a fully reversible upper. Alternatively, instead of laces, a strap of elastic material known in the art may be used to maintain the upper  406  securely on the wearer&#39;s foot. 
         [0042]    Referring now to  FIG. 19 , another alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown and generally designated  450 . Shoe  450  is a sneaker-type shoe having a sole  451  with a slight sneaker-type heel  452  integrally molded into the sole. Shoe  450  includes a fully removable and reversible upper  454  attached to the sole  451  with a permeter zipper  456  with a grip  458 . Detaching the upper  454  from sole  451  is achieved by advancing grip  458  in direction  460  around sole  451 . As with shoe  400 , upper  454  may be fully reversed, or replaced, to provide a shoe  450  having a varying appearance and look. A clog-style shoe for the present invention may be created using a wooden sole. 
         [0043]    The present invention as shown herein by preferred embodiments is merely exemplary of the variety of embodiments contemplated. It is to be appreciated that the features shown herein may be combined in different combinations to provide shoe of the present invention having various appearances and dynamic stylistic features. 
         [0044]    Soles discussed herein may be made from any material known in the art, including but not limited to, wood, rubber, leather, and synthetic materials. Styles of the shoes discussed herein may include, but are not limited to, sneakers, tennis shoes, moccasin, slippers, sandals, and other shoe styles known in the art.