Abstract:
In accordance with the invention, a shoe for supporting and protecting the heel, sole and toes of a human foot has a base comprising a forward portion terminating at a toe end. The forward portion being configured and dimensioned to support the sole and toes of the foot of a user. The rear portion terminates at a heel end. The rear portion is configured and dimensioned to support the fleshy undersurface of the heel of the foot of the user. The shoe comprises a pair of elongated channels defined in the forward portion of the base, a vamp configured to overlie the instep of the user, and a pair of elongated channel-engaging members secured to the vamp, each of the channel engaging members being configured to slide into and mate with a respective elongated channel.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The invention relates to a shoe which allows the user to customize the look of the same by removing and replacing the vamps of various style, decoration, color, material and so forth. 
       CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0002]    (Not applicable) 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0003]    (Not applicable) 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    Today, increasingly high standards for physical appearance in terms of style, clothing and the like have increased the need for a person to dress in a coordinated and stylish fashion. Thus, a person may require a great number of different types of various clothing. In the case of shoes, the possibilities for selection are relatively large, in so far as materials may range from conventional leather to fabric and plastic. Moreover, these materials make possible shoes in a wide range of color. Because they are small and thus serve to highlight a particular look, shoes may be worn in relatively bright and outlandish styles, such as shiny patent leather and synthetic finishes, bright colors such as red, and more exotic finishes such as jewels. While, in principle, such a range of personal expression may be found in other garments such as jackets and dresses, the same is much more common in the case of shoes. 
         [0005]    Accordingly, it one wishes to dress in a fashionable and attractive manner, one may be required to have shoes having a great range of color, finish and materials. 
         [0006]    As expensive and challenging as this may be, the problem is multiplied in the case of travel, where multiple shoes may present a relatively large burden during transport, for example in travel to and from the airports, and perhaps more seriously during onboard storage, which is favored by many travelers today who recognize the value of traveling light. 
         [0007]    However, traveling light is almost not an option if one wishes to have in one&#39;s disposal, during travel, for example business travel, a reasonable range of shoes. In addition to the inconvenience and weight of multiple pairs of shoes, the traveler must also deal with very serious space limitations imposed on carry-on luggage. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    In accordance with the invention, a shoe is provided which is of relatively lightweight and compact construction, while at the same time capable of exhibiting various appearances. The inventive shoe is also advantageous for reasons of its economy, sturdy construction and convenience. 
         [0009]    In accordance with the invention, a shoe for supporting and protecting the heel, sole and toes of a human foot has a base comprising a forward portion terminating at a toe end. The forward portion being configured and dimensioned to support the sole and toes of the foot of a user. The rear portion terminates at a heel end. The rear portion is configured and dimensioned to support the fleshy undersurface of the heel of the foot of the user. The shoe comprises a pair of elongated channels defined in the forward portion of the base, a vamp configured to overlie the instep of the user, and a pair of elongated channel-engaging members secured to the vamp, each of the channel engaging members being configured to slide into and mate with a respective elongated channel. 
         [0010]    The shoe further comprises an enclosed back part or counter that is secured to the rear portion of the base to fully contain and support the ankle of a human foot. A heel is secured to the rear portion of the base adjacent to the heel end and a top lift secured to the heel. 
         [0011]    The base comprises a flexible base member or a plastic or rubber-like base member defining the heel end and the toe end, and a support plate secured to the forward portion of the base defining a left support plate side and a right support plate side. The support plate comprises a metal, with the left support plate side being configured to define a curled edge. This curled edge forms an elongated channel. 
         [0012]    Alternatively, the support plate comprises a metal, with two slits open at the forward portion each having a closed end at the rear portion. The base having circular, elongated channels open at the forward portion and closed at the rear portion. These slits and circular, elongated channels accommodate the channel-engaging members secured to the vamp. 
         [0013]    A third embodiment of the support plate would comprise a metal with two elongated channels having a circular opening at the forward portion. The base having circular, elongated channels under the two elongated channels of the support plate. The channels accommodating the channel-engaging members. 
         [0014]    The elongated channel-engaging member is stitched to the vamp. The vamp comprises a flexible member having a forward edge, a rear edge, a left side edge and a right side edge. The elongated channel-engaging members comprise a pair of ball chains each being secured to the side edges. 
         [0015]    An insole is mounted on top of the support plate to provide cushioning for the foot and also acting as a shock absorber against the forward moving motion of the person wearing the shoe. 
         [0016]    The vamp may be made of materials such as leather, fabric or plastic that can accommodate the channel-engaging member. 
         [0017]    A strap is attached to the counter to securely hold the ankle of a human foot and provide further stability to counter against forces associated with walking or other similar activities. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]    The structure and use of the inventive shoe will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which: 
           [0019]      FIG. 1  illustrates a construction of a shoe constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 1   a  is a cross-sectional view of the shoe of  FIG. 1  along lines  1   a - 1   a  of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  illustrates the inventive shoe of  FIG. 1  in exploded perspective; 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  is a front view of an alternative embodiment of the shoe of the present invention employing a plastic sole; 
           [0023]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the shoe illustrated in  FIG. 3  along lines  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 5  illustrates an alternative embodiment channeling engaging member in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 6  illustrates yet another channel engaging mechanism; 
           [0026]      FIG. 7  is an isometric view illustrating the channel engaging member of the vamp engaging structure of  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 8  illustrates yet another alternative embodiment of the inventive shoe employing a strap to give the structure additional mechanical stability. 
           [0028]      FIG. 9  illustrates the strap as it attaches to both sides of the vamp; 
           [0029]      FIG. 10  illustrates an alternative channel-engaging mechanism; 
           [0030]      FIG. 11  is a schematic view illustrating the channel engaging members positioned in the channel illustrated in  FIG. 10  and 
           [0031]      FIGS. 12   a  and  12   b  illustrate respectivelys the support plate and base of yet another alternative channel-engaging mechanism. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0032]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , the inventive shoe  10  comprises a removable front section or vamp  12  that covers much of the front end of a foot. Removable front section  12  can be made up of any suitable material or materials such as leather or fabric. Other alternatives include fabric with embroidery, plastic, fabric supporting jewels, and exotic papers. If desired materials such as textiles, papers and the like may be treated with suitable substances to improve their longevity and serviceability, such as waterproof coatings and the like. 
         [0033]    The mechanism with which the front section  12  is held in place may be understood with reference to  FIGS. 1   a  and  2 . In particular, front section  12  comprises a fabric member  15 . Fabric member  15  which forms the front of the shoe  10  is secured by a ball and chain structure  14  from  FIG. 2 . More particularly, ball and chain structure  14  is attached to the bottom edge  17  of the leather or fabric cover that forms removable front section  12 . 
         [0034]    Ball and chain structure  14  comprises balls  19  and links  21  in the manner of a conventional ball chain used in a variety of applications such as lamp pulls, keychains and the like. Ball and chain structure  14  may be made of steel or any suitable material. Ball and chain structure  14  is secured to bottom edge  17  of vamp  12  by stitching with a thread  23 . Ball and chain structure  14  is secured to the sole of the shoe by sliding into a channel  16  that is positioned alongside the edges of the front portion or vamp  12  of shoe  10 . 
         [0035]    Channel  16  is formed with in a support plate  30 . Support plate  30  is secured to the forward portion of base  28  which forms outsole  18 , using glue or any other suitable technique, such as stitching through holes provided in plate  30 . Support plate  30  may be made up metal or any suitable material. Channel  16  is defined and support plate  30  by the curled left and right edges  31  and  33  of support plate  30 . Channel  16  is configured and dimensioned to slidingly receive ball and chain structure  14 , and to retain ball and chain structure  14  in place even when it is subjected to relatively strong upward forces, for example those forces associated with walking or other activity. The retention of front section  12  in place is achieved with the help of frictional force. Such force  3  is present because ball and chain structure  14  is snugly received in channel  16  and frictionally engaged by channel  16 . 
         [0036]    Channel  16  is designed to keep the ball and chain in place so that the front section  12  stays in place with the help of the frictional force. Channel  16  is configured as a groove. The gripping action can be improved by making plate  30  of a spring material, such as spring steel and configuring it slightly smaller than the diameter of balls  19 . 
         [0037]    The bottom sole or outsole  18 , which comes in direct contact with the ground during walking, is preferably made up of either rubber or leather or other material selected for its long wearing characteristic and weatherproofness. 
         [0038]    The enclosed back or counter  20  at the end of the shoe supports the heel of the foot of the user and can be made of, for example, plastic, leather or fabric to accommodate the overall design of the shoe. A heel support  22  is positioned underneath the back end  23  of the inventive shoe  10  to serve its typical function of elevating the height of the user. The height of the heel support structure  22  can be selected from a range of heights, for example high, medium and as required to meet the needs or desires of a particular user. The heel structure  22  is usually made of plastic or wood with a bottom tip or top lift  24  that is usually made of rubber, or other long wearing and/or shock absorbing material. 
         [0039]    An insole  26  is placed upon plate  30  ( FIG. 2 ) that rests on top of the outsole and is usually made of a soft spongy material such as foam rubber or soft rubber. 
         [0040]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of inventive shoe  10  more clearly illustrating its different elements  12 - 30 , as described above. Base  28  of inventive shoe  10  is secured to and supports enclosed back or counter  20 , heel structure  22  and outer sole  18 . 
         [0041]    Referring to  FIG. 1   a,  it is seen that the vamp  12 , made of fabric  15  is stitched to ball is held in channels  16  formed by the curled up edges  31 ,  33  of plate  30 . Insole  26  rests on plate  30 , and provides a comfortable support for the wearer of the shoe. If desired insole  30  may extend from the front of the shoe to above the heel and secured in place by an adhesive or other suitable material. 
         [0042]    When it is desired to use the inventive shoe  10 , the wearer takes in hand the base comprising base structure  28  (sometimes referred to as the shoe last), which provides the anatomical support for the foot, together with plate  30 , insole  26  and heel  22  secured to it. Because base structure  28  is made of wood or high density plastic, it is relatively rigid. This allows the user to grasp the vamp  12  and feed ball chain  14 , starting with ball  19   a , into left channel  16 , sliding the balls one after another into the channel. Simultaneously, the balls  19  on the right side of vamp  12  are advanced and to right channel  16 . The two ball chains of those slid into their respective channels, where they are secured on account of being grasped by channels  16 . The shoe may then be put on the foot in conventional fashion and will be retained there during walking, sitting and so forth. 
         [0043]      FIGS. 3-five  is a frontal view of an alternative embodiment of the inventive shoe  110  in which the removable top  112  is secured in place by a plastic groove engaging member  114  which is illustrated most clearly in  FIG. 5 . In place of the ball and chain of  FIG. 1 , plastic groove engaging member  114  provides an inexpensive and easy to manufacture alternative. Groove engaging member  114  includes a plurality of optional holes  142  through which thread may be used to secure groove engaging member  114  to vamp  112 . While the illustrated embodiment shows a vamp  112  made of textile material, other materials are also usable to form vamp  112 , such as plastic, leather or the like. 
         [0044]    Also in contrast to the metal plate  30  of the Figure one embodiment, intake grooves  132  ( FIG. 4 ) are defined in plastic support plate  130  by pairs of arcuate ridges  152 ,  154  and  156 ,  158 , which engage respective groove engaging members  114 , one of which is sewn to the right and left sides of vamp  112 . in accordance with the invention, support plate may be secured through, for example, a leather outsole  134 , or the outsole may be made of plastic and be integral with support plate  30 . 
         [0045]    As shown in  FIG. 5  groove engaging member  114  may include a needle like tip portion  145  to facilitate pushing the same into intake grooves  132 . 
         [0046]    Turning to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , yet another method of removal only securing a selectable vamp to a shoe base is illustrated. Shoe  210  comprises an outersole  212 . Outersole  212  supports a plate  214 . Plate  214  includes a curved portion  216  which engages the curved portion  218  of support  220 . 
         [0047]    A selectable vamp  222  is secured by threads  224  to support  220 . This allows different vamps  222  (for example in different materials, colors and decorations) to be carried by the user, for example in the user&#39;s carry-on baggage onto an airplane with a minimal amount of weight and volume. 
         [0048]    Turning to  FIG. 8 , yet another alternative in accordance with the invention is illustrated. In this embodiment, the inventive shoe  310  includes a lower strap  360  secured to vamp  312 . Vamp  312  is secured to innersole  314  in the manner of the previous embodiments. Additional security is provided by a strap  360  permanently secured to vamp  312 , and a strap  362  secured to counter  320 . Strap  360  is secured to strap  362  by a buckle or any suitable fastening device secured at the ends  366  and  368  of the straps  360  and  362 , respectively. 
         [0049]    The conventional buckle  369  comprises a frame  370 , a bar  372 , and a prong  374  attached to bar  372 . A loop  376  is also attached to strap  360  to secure the loose end of strap  362 . Strap  362  has holes  378  which enable adjustment of the length of strap  362 . Strap  362  runs through loop  321  at the top of counter  320  to the opposite side of the shoe where strap  362  attaches permanently to vamp  312 .  FIG. 9  further illustrates strap  362  secured permanently to vamp  312  on the opposite side of the shoe from the buckle. 
         [0050]    In use, a user feeds strap  362  through a loop  321  at the top of counter  320  and then through frame  370 . The user then pulls strap  362  to a desired length. Once the desired length is reached, the user secures strap  362  by placing prong  374  through the appropriate hole  378 . The user then feeds the excess of strap  362  through loop  376  to secure the loose end of strap  362 . 
         [0051]    Turning to  FIG. 10 , another embodiment in accordance with the invention is illustrated. The inventive shoe  410  comprises base  412  secured to support plate  416 . Base  412  comprises either rubber or leather or other material selected for its long wearing characteristic and weatherproofness. Further, base  412  contains circular openings  414  at the forward portion of the base. Circular openings  414  continue posteriorly creating a concave channel that comes to a closed end at the rear portion of the base. Support plate  416  comprises a metal with two slits  418  with an open end  420  at the front and a closed end  422  toward the rear. 
         [0052]      FIG. 11  is a schematic illustration of channel-engaging members  424  secured to vamp  426 . Channel-engaging members  424  engage base  412  which is also inillustrated in  FIG. 10 . Channel-engaging members  424  also engage plate  416 . The slits  420  in support plate  416  accommodate chains  430 , which secure balls  424  to vamp  426 , thus securing vamp  426  in place. 
         [0053]    In use, a user feeds the channel-engaging members  424  into circular openings  414  continuing into the elongated circular channel of base  412  until all channel-engaging members  424  are engaged. 
         [0054]      FIG. 12  illustrates yet another embodiment in accordance with the invention illustrated. The inventive shoe  510  comprises a support plate  512 . Support plate  512  comprises a metal and contains two elongated channels  516 . Elongated channels  516  have a circular opening  514  at the forward portion of support plate  512  and a closed end  518  at the rear portion of support plate  512 . Support plate is secured to base  520 . Base  520  contains two elongated channels  522 , wider than elongated channels  516  to accommodate the balls of the channel-engaging members. Elongated channels  522  having a rounded, closed end  524  and a closed end  526 . 
         [0055]    Alternatively, support plate  512  may have depressed portions  528 , which have top surfaces positioned substantially level with the bottom of channels  516 , allowing the user to feed a channel engaging member through the front of the shoe in the same manner as the embodiment of  FIG. 10 . The depressed portions are illustrated in phantom lines in  FIGS. 10 and 12   a.    
         [0056]    In use, a user feeds the channel-engaging members into circular opening  514  and thus elongated channels  516 ,  522 . User continues to slide the channel-engaging members to the back of elongated channels  516 , 522 ; thus securing the vamp in place. 
         [0057]    This provides an added degree of security and can be incorporated into a wide variety of shoes, such as running shoes and the like. While illustrative embodiments of the invention have been described, it is noted that various modifications will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the above description and drawings. Such modifications are within the scope of the invention which is limited and defined only by the following claims.