Shoes with Interchangeable and Reversible Tops

Footwear with reversible and moveable tops is presented and includes zippers positioned all around the base of the shoe in order for the top half of the shoe to be changed or reversed. 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. Shoes and boots may include reversible uppers, leg shafts, or other pieces, to be used in conjunction with reversible zippers. A reversible slider allows zippers to be used with reversible pieces in each of their orientations.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains generally to footwear. More specifically, the present invention pertains to a shoe with interchangeable and reversible parts.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

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 because the colors, styles and materials of the shoes as manufactured are fixed. In light of the above, it would be advantageous to provide footwear that can be changed according to the wearer's desired style and wardrobe requirements, such as color and shape.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is a shoe with reversible and moveable tops. There is a zipper all around the base of the shoe in order for the top half of the shoe to be changed. In a preferred embodiment, the zipper is a double-sided zipper which allows for convenient reversibility of the top. 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.

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.

Additional embodiments of the present invention include tops with no laces, one or more elastic bands spanning the top to hold the shoe on a wearer's foot, reversible pull zippers, multi-colored zippers, and designs having a high or low top, a high or low heel, and a high or low sole. Other embodiments allow multiple tops to be stacked upon one another to create a custom boot.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring initially toFIG. 1, an alternative embodiment of the shoe of the present invention showing a shoe sole having a heel is shown and generally designated300. Shoe300has a sole302having a heel portion304and a toe portion306, and may be formed with a raised heel308. A detachable and interchangeable top310is attached to sole302. More specifically, a fixed zipper portion312is firmly attached to the sole302, and is designed to receive a zipper314for attaching a removable zipper portion316of top310.FIG. 13depicts the shoe300of the present invention with a top310firmly attached to the sole302, and ready for use.

By moving zipper314in direction317, the top310may be removed from the sole302. For instance, referring now toFIG. 2, top310is shown partially detached from sole302as zipper314was moved in direction317such that removable zipper portion316is detached, or “unzipped” from fixed zipper portion312. Conversely, top310may be reattached to sole302by placing removable zipper portion316adjacent fixed zipper portion314, and urging zipper314in direction318.

It is to be appreciated fromFIGS. 1 and 2, that top310may be completely detached from sole302. In fact, shoe300of the present invention may be equipped with several, interchangeable tops310, which can be easily and simply detached, or “unzipped” from sole302, and changed in a matter of seconds to provide a shoe having a different fashion and aesthetic appearance.

Referring toFIG. 3, a top310of the present invention is shown having a left and right removable zipper portion316. In a preferred embodiment, a first panel320of top310may be of a first material, and a second panel322(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 top310of the present invention is both interchangeable (changing one top310for another top310), as well as reversible so that a single top310may provide two different styles, colors, textures, or imprints.

Upper edge324and lower edge326can be contoured to provide a distinct visual appearance, and may have shapes consistent with the other embodiments of the present invention disclosed herein. Also, panels320and/or322may be produced with a design, such as heart-shaped embroidery328(shown in dashed lines).

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.

Referring now toFIG. 4, an alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown and generally designated400. Shoe400includes a sole402having a heel404and equipped with a full-cover upper406having a perimeter zipper408extending around the entire shoe sole402to provide for the removal of the upper408from the sole402. Upper408may be removed from sole402by advancing zipper410in direction412around the entire sole402. Once removed, the upper406may be reversed and reattached to sole402. Alternatively, instead of using the same upper406, a separate upper (not shown) may be attached to sole402to provide an alternative visual effect, or a different style of upper.

With reference toFIG. 5, the shoe400ofFIG. 4is shown in an exploded view, with dashed lines416showing the direction of attachment of the upper406from sole402, and the zipper408separated into two portions408A and408B.

In a preferred embodiment, upper406may be made from any materials known in the art, including but not limited to denim, canvas, leather, and terry cloth. FromFIG. 6, a perspective view of the upper406of the alternative embodiment ofFIGS. 4 and 5, shows the inside surface420of the upper406having a different appearance, color, texture, and/or material than the outside surface418of the upper406. This provides for the detachment of the upper406from sole402and reversal of the upper406such that outside surface418becomes inside surface420thereby exposing inside surface418. Once reversed, the upper406may be re-attached to sole402with zipper408by placing zipper portion408A adjacent zipper portion408B and advancing zipper410around the sole402.

Laces414may be positioned on the upper406such that the shoe400may be tied upon the wearer'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 upper406securely on the wearer's foot.

Referring now toFIG. 7, another alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown and generally designated450. Shoe450is a sneaker-type shoe having a sole451with a slight sneaker-type heel452integrally molded into the sole451. Shoe450includes a fully removable and reversible upper454attached to the sole451with a perimeter zipper456with a grip458. Detaching the upper454from sole451is achieved by advancing grip458in direction460around sole451. As with shoe400, upper454may be fully reversed, or replaced, to provide a shoe450having a varying appearance and look. A clog-style shoe for the present invention may be created using a wooden sole.

Referring now toFIG. 8, an alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown and generally designated500. Shoe500consists of a sole502having a first zipper portion504apermanently attached to perimeter of the sole502, and an upper having the second zipper portion504battached to lower perimeter of the upper and a first zipper portion508aattached to the upper perimeter of the upper. Shoe500further comprises a leg extension510having a second zipper portion508battached to the leg extension's510lower perimeter. In use, sole502mates with upper506by zipping together zipper portions504aand504busing zipper slider505. Zipper504is a reversible zipper such that zipper portions504aand504bmay first be mated at either end using zipper slider505then joined by sliding zipper slider505along the length of zipper504. Upper506is reversible such that a wearer may separate upper506from sole502, reverse upper506such that the upper's interior507(not shown, seeFIG. 23) becomes a new exterior for upper506and the original exterior of upper506becomes the new interior507. The reversible nature of zipper504and zipper slider505allows upper506to mate with sole502regardless of the surface of upper506used for the exterior. It is to be appreciated by one skilled in the art that sole502may be of varying thicknesses as well as upper506may extend up the wearer's leg to different points on the wearer's leg. For example, upper506may be designed to fully cover the wearer's ankle where different design may have upper506extend up to just below the wearer's ankle.

Also shown inFIG. 8is leg extension510attached to upper506using zipper508, which consists of zipper portion508alocated on the top perimeter of upper506and zipper portion508blocated on the bottom perimeter of leg shaft510. Similar to zipper504, zipper508is reversible thereby allowing leg shaft510to be turned inside out, such that interior511becomes a new exterior for leg shaft510, and still capable of being attached to upper506by using zipper508.

It is to be appreciated by someone skilled in the art that the various portions of shoe500may have differing physical dimensions without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. For example, sole502may be of a high platform design, as shown inFIG. 20, or a low platform design. Further, leg shaft510may be of various heights to allow a wearer to customize boot500for the wearer's specific height or leg length. Further, sole502, upper506, and leg shaft510may be constructed from any suitable material known in the industry, such as leather, faux leather, canvas, and flexible plastics, may be any color and texture, and may have a design image or pattern applied to one or more of the shoe's500surfaces.

Referring now toFIG. 9, a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown and generally designated520. shoe520comprises sole502, upper506, and leg shaft510. Boot520further comprises leg shaft extension512. A wearer may use leg shaft extension512to add extra height to shoe520. For example, without leg shaft extension512, shoe520may come to the middle of a wearer's calf. With leg shaft extension512, shoe520comes to the wearer's knee, thereby creating a different look and feel for shoe520.

To assemble shoe520, leg shaft extension512is connected to upper506by mating zipper portion508awith zipper portion514a, located along the bottom perimeter of leg shaft extension512, using slider509. As discussed above, zipper portions508aand514a, along with slider509, are reversible thereby allowing for leg shaft extension512to be turned inside out thereby making original interior515the new exterior of leg shaft extension512. Leg shaft510connects to the top of leg shaft extension512using zipper portion508bmated with zipper portion514b, located along the top perimeter of leg extension512, using slider516. The zipper combination of zipper portions508band514and slider516is reversible to allow leg shaft512to be turned inside out.

Moving on now toFIG. 10, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown and generally designated530. Shoe530consists of sole502and upper506connected using zipper504and a slider (not shown). Connected to upper506is leg shaft extension532. Leg shaft extension532comprises zipper portion534aattached along the bottom perimeter of leg shaft extension532and zipper portion534battached along the top perimeter of leg shaft extension532. Leg shaft extension532further comprises a lace portion537, which comprises first lace tab537aand second lace tab537b, both of which run from the bottom perimeter of leg shaft extension532proximate zipper portion534ato the top perimeter of leg shaft extension532proximate zipper portion534b. Lace538laces together lace tabs537aand537b. Also running from top to bottom of leg shaft extension532, and between lace tabs537aand537b, is tongue548. Lastly, leg shaft extension532also comprises a zipper536, which also runs from the top to the bottom of leg shaft extension532, and zipper slider539.

Lastly, shoe530further comprises leg shaft540. Leg shaft540comprises zipper portion542located along the bottom perimeter of leg shaft540. Leg shaft540also comprises lace portion546, which consists of a first lace tab546aand a second lace tab546b. Lace544laces together lace tabs546aand546b. Located adjacent lace tabs546aand546bis tongue548. Leg shaft540also has a zipper550and zipper slider549, which run from the top to the bottom of leg shaft540.

In use, a wearer assembles shoe530using sole502, upper506, leg shaft540, and leg shaft extension532. It is to be appreciated by someone skilled in the art that a sole of one color and material, an upper of a different color and material, a leg shaft extension of a third color and material, and a leg shaft of a fourth color and material may be combined to form a distinctive shoe530. Zippers536and550are disengaged by moving sliders539and549from the top to the bottom of leg shaft extension532and leg shaft540respectively, thereby allowing a wearer to more easily put on and take off shoe530. Once the wearer puts on shoe530, sliders539and549are moved from the bottom to the top of leg shaft extension532and leg shaft540respectively, thereby engaging zippers536and550. The wearer then pulls on laces538and544until the wearer achieves the desired fit. After laces538and544are adjusted to achieve the desired fit, the wearer only needs to use zippers536and550to more quickly and easily put on and take off shoe530. Since zippers536and550are reversible, leg shaft540and leg shaft extension532may be turned inside out while still allowing the use of zippers536and540.

Leg shaft extension532is removed from and replaced on upper506by mating zipper portion508awith zipper portion534a, located along the bottom perimeter of leg shaft extension532, using slider509. As discussed above, zipper portions508aand534a, along with slider509, are reversible thereby allowing for leg shaft extension532to be turned inside out thereby making original interior the new exterior of leg shaft extension532. Leg shaft540connects to the top of leg shaft extension532using zipper portion534bmated with zipper portion542, located along the top perimeter of leg extension532, using slider535. The zipper combination of zipper portions534band542and slider535is reversible to allow leg shaft532to be turned inside out.

Moving now toFIG. 11, an exploded view of the embodiment of the present invention described inFIG. 10is shown. The exploded view demonstrates the modular nature of the present invention.FIG. 11shows a sole502attached to upper506. Also shown is the interior surface507of upper506. Also shown is leg shaft extension512. Lastly,FIG. 23shows leg shaft540complete with lace544, lace tabs546aand546b, as well as zipper550with slider549. In use, a wearer may choose to use leg shaft extension512or leg shaft extension532, or may choose to not use any leg shaft extension. If a leg shaft extension is not used, then the wearer attaches the leg shaft directly to the upper. Alternatively, the wearer may choose to use leg shaft extension532and leg shaft510, thereby creating another distinctive look from the previous example. The wearer may also choose to not use any leg shaft or leg shaft extension, and only wear the sole502attached to the upper506. The wearer also has the option to turn one or both of the leg shaft and the leg shaft extension inside out to expose an alternative feature, such as color, material, or texture.FIG. 11shows the modular nature of this alternative embodiment of the present invention where a wearer may mix and match various components to create a distinctive look. It is to be appreciated by someone skilled in the art that leg shaft540and leg shaft extension532may have zippers536and550and not lace tabs546aand546bor may have lace tabs546aand546band not zippers536and550. These several designs allow a wearer to mix and match the various components of the present invention to create distinctive looks.

Also shown inFIG. 11is finishing collar560. Finishing collar560is configured to attach to upper506and leg shaft extensions512and532by attaching zipper portion562to zipper portion508aof upper506, zipper portion514bof leg shaft extension512, or zipper portion534bof leg shaft extension532. The finishing collar560is further configured with an inside flap564that provides a protective layer between a user's skin and the interior surface of zipper portion562. Located around the top of finishing collar560is pad566. Pad566may be made from a covered foam material to enhance user comfort. Finishing collar560provides a finished aesthetic appearance as well as prevents any exposed zipper portions and edges from contacting and irritating a user's leg. The finishing collar may be made from any material similar to boot500, boot520, and boot530. It is to be appreciated by someone skilled in the art that zipper portions508b,514a,534a, and542may have a flap, similar to flap564, to also prevent contact between the interior surface of the zipper portion and the user's skin.

An additional configuration of the leg shaft and the leg shaft extension has the horizontal zippers starting and ending at the vertical zippers. This configuration allows the leg shaft or leg shaft extension to be separated and laid flat on a surface by fully unzipping the vertical zippers. This allows for easier storage of boot pieces and enhances the ability of a wearer to more easily put on and take off the boot. It also makes it easier for a user to turn the leg shafts510and540or the leg shaft extensions512and532inside out. For example, usingFIG. 22, zipper550on leg shaft540may be located where lace tabs546are located. When zipper550is fully disengaged, and due to the fact that zipper542begins on one side of zipper550and ends on the other side of zipper550, leg shaft540opens to lay flat. For leg shaft extension532, zipper536may be located where lace tabs537aand537bare located. Zipper portions534aand534bwould both start on one side of zipper536and end on the other side of zipper536. As with leg shaft540, when zipper536is fully disengaged, leg shaft extension532opens to lay flat.

It is to be appreciated by someone skilled in the art that flap564may be added to the bottom of leg shafts510and540and leg shaft extensions512and532to provide a protective layer between the inside surface of a zipper and a user's skin.

Referring now toFIG. 12, a reversible zipper slider is shown and generally designated600. Reversible slider600is used in conjunction with reversible zippers in the present invention in order to facilitate use of the zipper with reversible parts in both orientations. Examples of where a reversible slider600is used are slider314,410,458,509,516,535,539, and549, although a reversible slider600may be used for any slider in the present invention if desired. Reversible slider600has a top board602and a bottom board604. A puller608is attached to the top board602via a lug606. Unique to reversible slider600, bottom board604also has a lug (not shown), which attaches a second puller610to the reversible slider600. Since one puller608is attached to top board602, and another puller610is attached to bottom board604, the slider600may be engaged from either side, allowing use when the shoe part to which it is attached is reversed.

FIG. 13shows an alternate reversible slider620which may be used in place of reversible slider600anywhere a zipper slider is used in the present invention, but especially in connection with reversible pieces. Reversible slider620comprises a top board622and a bottom board624, but has only a single lug626which extends from top board622to bottom board624. The lug626attaches a single puller628to the reversible slider620. However, since the lug626extends around both sides of the slider620, the puller628may be pulled from over top board622to be placed over bottom board624when a part is reversed. In this way, zipper slider620may be conveniently engaged from whichever side is most appropriate to the orientation of the reversible shoe part.

The present invention as shown herein by preferred and alternative 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.

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, boots, and other shoe styles known in the art.