ITEM OF MODULAR FOOTWEAR

Abstract: An item of modular footwear as disclosed consists in a sole (su), an insole (so), and a stocking (ca) into which the insole is inserted; the sole (su) and insole (so) incorporate fastening means (as, bi) that serve to join together and separate the three modular components (su, so, ca), thereby rendering them interchangeable with others.

Description: " I TJS I OP MODULAR POOT JSAR" Description The invention relates to footwear featuring a modular type of design. A first object of the invention is to disclose an item of footwear that provides a response to the ever-increasing necessity for achieving reductions both in manufacturing costs, and in expenditure on mater i a I s . Another object of the invention is that of affording the wearer absolute hygiene, as well as a high level of comfort and relief. A further object of the invention is to set forth an item of footwear that wi ll be suitable for use in all those circumstances where no special requirement exists for strength and rigidity, e.g. at work or out of doors, and which is ideal for the home in particular. The stated objects are achieved with an item of footwear as characterized in the appended claims, which consists in a sole, an insole, and a stocking; according to the invention, the insole is inserted into the stocking, and can be attached and removed thus to and from the sole. Footwear embodied in this modular fashion affords the advantage, amongst others, of being practical and I i ghtwei ght . The invention will now be described in detail, by way of example, with the aid of the accompanying drawings, in which: fig 1 shows perspectives of the sole and insole in an item of footwear according to the invention; fig 2 is a perspective illustrating the sole and insole separated from one another, and exhibiting fastening means different from those shown in fig 1 ; fig 3 is the side elevation of an item of footwear according to the invention. With reference to figs 2 and 3, an item of footwear according to the invention consists in a sole su, an insole so, and a stocking ca. The insole so, which in a preferred embodiment would be fashioned anatomically in a non-toxic plastic, is inserted into the stocking ca as in fig 2. The sole su and insole so are provided respectively with fastening means as and bi that per it of their being attached to and separated from one another. In fig 1, the fastening means as associated with the insole so consist in a plurality of lugs, whilst the means bi associated with the sole su consist in a corresponding number of slots. It will be seen in fig 1 that the lugs as and slots bi are located at the toe and the heel, and for added stability, at further points mid-way along the. sides of the sole and insole. The heel may be of any given height, as the drawings indicate. The stocking ca i llustrated in figs 2 and 3 might be a conventional type, or perhaps specially fashioned -i .e. reinforced, at least at the points where the lugs as are located, and either knitted more loosely at these same points or provided i h recognizable openings ap that wi ll permit passage of the lugs. An item of modular footwear as i llustrated in figs 1 and 3 is assembled by inserting the insole so into a stocking ca, offering it thus to the sole su, and making certain that all of the lugs as are located in thei r respective slots bi . This accomplished, all that remains is for the user to slip his or her foot into the stocking ca; thus one has a practical, lightweight, comfortable and hygienic item of footwear. Clearly enough, the position of the lugs as and the slots bi might be reversed -i .e. the lugs as being associated with the sole su, and the slots bi with the insole so, just as thei r number and position might differ from those of fig 1. The fastening means by which the insole so and the sole su are attached might be embodied differently, for example, as shown in fig 2. In this instance, screw means are provided at the heel, the toe being provided with a lug as which locates in a slot bi of corresponding shape and is afforded passage by an appropriately fashioned stocking ca. Other fastening means as and bi might be employed without prejudice to the substance of the appended claims; for instance, the heel could be provided with positive locking means that can be joined and separated, and further means (such as conventional velcro strip) might be fitted to the sole su only, so as to grip the stocking ca, with the insole so already inserted and fastened to the sole su, when direct pressure is applied together with a marginal degree of sideways movement. Any given material other than plastic might be used in embodi ent of the invention, including rubber, leather, and synthetic or natural fibres, provided that it is compatible with the stated objects; more exactly, washing and sterilization must be possible to the end of ensur ng hygiene.

Claims: Claims 1) An item of modular footwear, characterized in that it compri ses : -a sole (su), of which one side is planted on the ground, or floor, and the remaining side provided with fastening means (bi); -an insole (so), of which one side is offered to the foot of the wearer and the remaining side provided with fastening means (as); -a stocking (ca) into which the insole (so) is inserted; and in that the fastening means (as, bi) can be joined together and separated at wi ll, and in given instances, are made to pass through the fabric of the stocking (ca) . 2) Item of modular footwear as in claim 1, wherein the fastening means (as, bi) consist in matching lugs and slots. 3) Item of modular footwear as in claim 1, wherein the fastening means (as, bi) consist in matching lugs and slots and/or positive locking means. 4) Item of modular footwear as in claim 1, wherein the fastening means (as, bi) consist in matching lugs and slots and/or screw means. 5) Item of modular footwear as in claim 1, wherein the fastening means (as, bi) consist in screw means or positive locking means, utilized together with means that are designed to grip the stocking (ca) when the stocking is pressed thereon and shifted marginally in relation thereto. 6) Item of modular footwear as in claim 3 or 5, wherein positive locking means are provided at least at the heel . 7) Item of modular footwear as in claim 4 or 5, wherein screw means are provided at least at the heel. 8) Item of modular footwear as in claim 1, wherein the stocking (ca) is especially reinforced, at least at the points where the fastening means (as, bi) are located, and may be provided with openings (ap) at such po nts. 9) Item of modular footwear as in claim 1, wherein the stocking (ca) is a conventional article of hosiery in which openings (ap) may be provided at the points where the fastening means (as, bi) of the sole (su) and insole (so) are located. 10) Item of modular footwear as in claim 1, wherein the sole (so), the insole (so) and the stocking (ca) are all fashioned from material that can be washed and steri I i zed . 11) Item of modular footwear as in claim 1, wherein the surface of the insole (so) offered to the foot of the wearer is fashioned anatomically.

Inventors: SARRAINO PIETRO, SARRAINO, PIETRO
Applicants: SARRAINO PIETRO, SARRAINO, PIETRO
Application year: 1987
Main classification: A43B9
IPC codes: A43B3, A43B9, A43B13