Abstract:
Exemplary embodiments of the invention provide a sole assembly having a first fixed portion and a second removable portion, wherein the removable portion is removably mounted to allow replacement, at least one projection extending from a peripheral edge area of the second portion and configured to be engaged with at least one portion of the sole assembly, at least one aperture formed in the second portion and at least one securing device which projects at least partially through the at least one aperture to secure the second portion to the sole assembly.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a shoe having a portion that can be quickly and easily replaced. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     The variety of activities and sports pursued has increased steadily in recent years. This increase has been sparked at least in part by advances in equipment technology which has allowed more people to enjoy a particular activity. Almost all sporting activities require the person to move themselves by walking or running. As such, the single most important piece of equipment is often the footwear worn by the user during the particular activity. 
     Athletic shoes, such as those designed for tennis, running, basketball, hiking, cross-training, walking and other activities, typically include a sole or sole assembly on a bottom portion of the shoe, which is fixedly secured by gluing or other similar attachment process to a soft and pliable upper portion of the shoe. The sole assembly usually includes a rubber outsole that contacts the ground surface and a cushioning midsole or midsole assembly above the outsole. 
     Athletic activities can be performed on various types of surfaces, such as asphalt, grass, dirt, and rocky surfaces, which are abrasive. Such surfaces can cause extensive wear or damage to the shoe. However, certain areas of the sole, for example in the toe, can wear or become damaged faster than other parts. 
     In the toe portion, excessive contact in this area with a ground surface can create a more worn-out or damaged area as compared to the rest of the sole. This uneven worn-out area can cause poor performance and/or discomfort to the wearer and possibly even injury. Thus, the uneven wear can affect at least the comfort, performance, appearance, and/or safety of the shoe. 
     Replacement of shoes having uneven wear is often an undesirable solution. Often, the other parts of the shoe have little or no wear, and thus, replacement of the entire shoe is wasteful. Further, sometimes the localized wear or damage occurs very rapidly, possibly during the first use or after only a small number of uses. Replacement of the entire shoe after such low usage is unsatisfactory to the user. Further, repair of the worn shoe is also not a desirable or satisfactory solution. 
     SUMMARY 
     As discussed previously, the wearing down of a portion of the sole of a shoe after repeated use is common with shoes for many types of activities. Providing the wearer of a shoe with the ability to replace worn out parts of the shoe and to maintain the structural integrity and performance of the shoe is a beneficial and less expensive way to avoid the above-discussed issues and problems. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of exemplary embodiments of the present invention to provide a shoe with a replaceable portion and methods for replacing a portion of the sole of a shoe. 
     According to various exemplary embodiments, the replaceable sole portion is preferably located in the toe portion of the shoe, however, other portions of the shoe could alternatively or additionally be replaceable. 
     By way of example, the invention can separately provide methods for easily interchanging and replacing the worn out toe or other portion with other removable portions when the currently used portion becomes worn out, damaged, or uneven. 
     According to an example of the invention, a user can choose from a plurality of replaceable toe portions, each of the toe portions having a different tread pattern. Thus, for example, a user could select a toe or other portion that is better for a particular surface and/or activity, even if wear is not presently an issue. 
     According to an example of an embodiment of the invention, one or more threaded studs are configured to pass through apertures in the replaceable toe portion to engage threaded bores in the bottom surface of the shoe to thereby secure the replaceable portion to the shoe main body. In addition, and also by way of example, projections extend from the replaceable toe portion to help align and secure the toe portion with the main body of the shoe when inserting the new toe portion. 
     By way of example, at least a part of the projections extending from the replaceable toe portion may extend at least partially through a receiving portion of the main body of the shoe. 
     The threaded studs can include, for example, an outer portion made of a same material as the replaceable toe portion. 
     Also by way of example, the invention can include a stud engaging device configured to couple with the studs and facilitate attachment and detachment of the studs from the replaceable toe portion or other portion of the shoe. 
     According to an example of the invention, the stud engaging device includes projection portions configured to engage receiving portions of the studs. 
     As should be apparent, the invention can provide a number of advantageous features and benefits. It is to be understood that, in practicing the invention, an embodiment can be constructed to include one or more features or benefits of embodiments disclosed herein, but not others. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the preferred embodiments discussed herein are provided as examples and are not to be construed as limiting, particularly since embodiments can be formed to practice the invention that do not include each of the features of the disclosed examples. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will be better understood from reading the description which follows and from examining the accompanying figures. These are provided solely as nonlimiting examples of the invention. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic showing a plan view of the bottom portion of a shoe according to an example of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic view showing an inside area of an example of a replaceable toe portion that will contact the shoe after attachment to the shoe; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic showing a perspective view of a system and method of attaching the toe portion to the main body of the shoe according to an example of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic showing the shoe after the toe portion has been attached; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic showing the toe portion being removably secured to a sole assembly of the shoe according to systems and methods of an example of the invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic showing the shoe after the toe portion has been attached to the shoe according to an example of the invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic perspective view of a replaceable portion securing device according to one or more embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic side view showing a securing device according to an example of the invention; and 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic perspective view of a tool configured to engage the securing devices according to systems and methods of one or more exemplary embodiments of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference characters will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an example of an embodiment of a shoe of the present invention. The shoe, designated generally as  10  in the illustrated example, is an athletic shoe. Such shoes can be designed for tennis, running, walking, basketball, or other activities. Of course, it should be appreciated that the shoe of exemplary embodiments can be any type of shoe for any use desired by the wearer, which might require a toe or other portion of the shoe to be replaced. In the illustrated examples, the replaceable portion is provided in the toe region of the shoe, and the invention has been found to be particularly advantageous in addressing wear and/or damage that can occur in the toe region. However, aspects of the invention could also be used to provide replaceable portions in other parts of a shoe. In addition, although the toe or other portions are replaceable in response to wear in the preferred examples, the replaceable portion(s) could also be provided for other reasons. For example, different replaceable portions could be provided that have different tread and/or hardness characteristics so that a portion could be replaced that will provide the user with a different feel and/or performance characteristic. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , shoe  10  includes an upper portion that covers the upper portion of the wearer&#39;s foot. By example, the upper portion  11  may be made of leather, a synthetic or natural fiber material or any combination of materials as is well-known in the art. A sole  9 , as part of a sole assembly, is attached to a bottom of the upper portion by stitching, gluing or any other conventional means. The sole  9  is substantially oval or elliptical in shape with somewhat flattened medial and lateral sides. The shape of the sole  9  is not limited to the shape shown in the figures but could be circular, polygonal, or any other shape that will enhance the performance and/or aesthetics of the shoe for the wearer. The sole  9  is typically made of a lightweight material that provides cushioning during use. The shoe sole  9  has a traction area which extends from a heel end to a forward toe portion and extends across a width of the shoe  10 . 
     According to one of the advantageous aspects of the illustrated example, the shoe  10  includes a removable toe portion  5  that may be easily interchangeable and replaceable with other removable toe portions, for example, when the currently used toe portion becomes worn out or damaged. Each toe portion  5  has a width that can extend across part of or an entire toe area of shoe  10 . The toe portion  5  may have the same or different tread pattern as sole  9  to allow for flexibility and variance in the performance of the shoe  10 . 
     According to an example of the invention, the toe portion  5  can extend, in addition to the forward toe area, along at least a portion of an inside peripheral edge of the shoe  10  and can separately or in addition to, extend along an outside peripheral edge part of shoe  10 . A peripheral edge of the toe portion  5  is sized to generally mate with peripheral edges of the shoe  10 . Similarly, a peripheral edge of the toe portion  5  that can form an edge with the sole  9 , can be any shape so as to be substantially similar to the corresponding edge of the sole  9 . That is, the peripheral edge of the toe portion  5  may contact the sole  9  and shoe  10  along an area substantially co-planar with the sole  9 . According to an example of the invention, the replaceable toe portion  5  can be secured to the shoe  10  without contacting or forming an edge with sole  9  depending on design choices for the sole  9  and toe portion  5 . 
     Additionally, according to one of the advantageous aspects of the illustrated example, a peripheral edge portion of the toe portion  5  may extend upwardly with respect to the plane of the sole  9  and contact an edge of the shoe  10 , as best shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . For example, the toe portion  5  may extend out and around and cover any amount of the front or side part of the shoe  10 . That is, it should be understood that the shape of the peripheral edges of the toe portion  5  and the corresponding peripheral edges of the sole  9  and shoe  10 , can be any shape or size and be at any location in around, and at any part of the shoe, so as to provide a desirable mating edge. In this way, the performance, appearance, functionality of the shoe can be enhanced in addition to easing the interchangeability of the toe portion  5 . 
     As best shown in  FIGS. 2-4 , according to examples of the invention, the removable toe portion  5  can have one or more projections  12  formed on the peripheral edge of the toe portion  5 . The projections  12  are attached to the toe portion  5 , for example, by forming integrally therewith. According to examples of the invention, a base of at least one projection  12  can form a raised portion  3  from a main surface of the toe portion  5  to provide an uneven surface with the main surface. In addition to being formed at the base of projections  12 , the raised portions  3  can be formed of varying heights anywhere along the surface of the toe portion  5  according to one or more exemplary embodiments. 
     The raised portions  3  at the base of the projections  12  and/or other areas, can engage with guiding portions  8  formed in the sole assembly area. In this way, a contact area is formed between at least a part of the projections of the toe portion  5  and the guiding portions  8  of the sole assembly area of shoe  10 . The guiding portions  8  can be in the form of grooves formed in the shoe  10  and can be formed at any location, for example, in between bores  7 , in order to match the raised portions  3  of the toe portion  5 , as best shown in  FIG. 5 . It should be appreciated that any structure can be provided for a guiding portion to allow for a proper alignment and an enhanced connection of the toe portion  5  with the rest of the shoe, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
     Additionally, the projections  12  can be formed to have an outwardly extending portion from the edge of the toe portion  5 . Thus, when the toe portion  5  is connected with the shoe  10 , the one or more projections  12 , formed at any desirable length, are configured to be substantially aligned and engaged with guiding portions  8  formed in the sole assembly area of shoe  10 . Further, according to examples of the invention, the one or more projections  12  may have a substantially transversely extending protruding portion  13  provided anywhere along the length of the projection  12 , for example at a tip thereof. The protruding portion  13  can extend into a corresponding aperture  14  formed in the shoe  10  to further enhance the connection between the toe portion  5  and the shoe portion  10 . The guiding portions  8  can extend for any desired length in order to receive the projections  12 . For example, the guiding portions  8  can extend into and under the portion of the shoe containing the apertures  14  in order to be at least partially enclosed by the shoe  10 . 
     The protruding portion  13  of the one or more projections  12  can extend in a direction away from the shoe portion  10  as shown in  FIG. 3  or alternatively, can extend towards the shoe portion  10 . The projections  12  and/or protruding portion  13  may be partially visible, for example through aperture  14 , when attached to the shoe  10  or may be at least partially enclosed by the shoe  10 . 
     According to one of the advantageous aspects of the illustrated example, it should be appreciated that the one or more projections  12  can extend away from any portion along the length of the peripheral edge of the toe portion  5  so as to engage various other parts of the shoe  10 , for example the sole  9 . Further, the projections  12  may or may not include the protruding portion  13  when engaging with the shoe  10 . One or more inner projections  11  may be provided and located at an area of the toe portion  5  other than the periphery, such as in the middle portion, as best shown in  FIG. 2 . Similar to receiving the projections  12 , one or more apertures  14  may be located at any location on the sole  9  or shoe  10  in order to receive the inner projections  11 . Further, it should be appreciated that the shoe  10 , according to one or more exemplary embodiment, can include projections and/or protrusions to engage with respective receiving portions of the toe portion  5 . 
       FIGS. 5 and 6  are perspective views of shoe  10  with the replaceable toe portion  5  being connected according to systems and methods of advantageous aspects of the illustrated example of the invention. The sole assembly area of shoe portion  10  can include one or more bores  7  that communicate with one or more apertures  6  formed in the toe portion  5 , when the toe portion  5  and shoe portion  10  are secured together. That is, the one or more bores  7  are positioned to be aligned with the one or more apertures  6  when the replaceable toe portion  5  is secured to the shoe portion  10 . Accordingly, when one or more of the apertures  6  and bores  7  are aligned with each other, a corresponding number of one or more securing devices or studs  15  connect the toe portion  5  with the shoe. 
     As best shown in  FIGS. 7-9 , each of the studs  15  includes a threaded portion  17  configured to pass through at least part of the aperture  6  in the interchangeable toe portion  5  and threadedly engage the threaded bores  7 , thereby affixing the replaceable toe portion  5  to the shoe. It should be appreciated that any number of studs  15  may be used to secure the toe portion  5  to the shoe in order to provide a secure connection and not affect the performance of the shoe for the user. The threaded section  17  includes a flange portion  18  that extends radially from an axis of the threaded portion  17 . A bottom surface or ground engaging surface  19  of the stud  15 , is secured to the threaded portion  17  via the flange  18 . The bottom portion  19  and threaded portion  17  can be secured together by an adhesive or any other conventional means in order to reduce or eliminate separation of the bottom portion  19  from the threaded portion  17 . 
     The bottom surface  19  of the stud  15  that will contact the ground surface, may be made of the same material, such as rubber, as the remainder of the replaceable toe portion  5  and/or sole  9 . However, it should be appreciated that the material used for the bottom surface  19  may be made of a material different from the remainder of the tread, if so desired. Similarly, a pattern or tread formed on the bottom surface  19  of the stud  15  can be different from the tread formed on the sole  9 . It should be appreciated that the bottom surface  19 , sole  9 , and ground engaging surface of toe portion  5  can all be formed of the same or different material as the other depending on design, aesthetic, performance and/or other factors. 
     According to an example of an embodiment of the invention, the one or more of the apertures  6  may have a different size or shape than the remaining apertures  6 . For example, the apertures  6  can have a flat bottom area for the flange  18  to rest on. Alternatively, the one or more apertures  6  may be tapered to allow a bottom surface  19  having the same configuration to fit therein. As such, the apertures  6  may have any desired size or shape depending on a corresponding size and shape of the stud  15  to be fitted therein. Having the capability to provide studs  15  and apertures  6  with different shapes and sizes if desired, allows the studs  15  to be placed at any location on the replaceable toe portion  5  in order to achieve a secure connection between the toe portion  5  and shoe and thus, enhance the performance of the shoe for the wearer. 
     As best shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the stud  15  and more particularly, the bottom portion  19  and/or flange  18  of the stud  15 , can include one or more receiving portions  16  spaced substantially equidistant from each other around a periphery of the stud  15 . Of course, the any number of receiving portions  16  can be placed at any location on the periphery or at a position in a middle portion of the stud  15 . The one or more receiving portions  16  are configured to be engaged by the stud engaging device  20  shown in  FIG. 9 . 
     The stud engaging device  20  according to systems and methods of an example of an exemplary embodiment of the invention, can include a body portion  22 , one or more prongs  21  at one end, and a gripping portion  24  at another end. The stud engaging device  20  is configured to be gripped by the user around the gripping portion  24  with a single hand in order to facilitate the user rotating the studs  15  and thus, securing the toe portion to the shoe  10  via the threaded portion  17  of the studs  15  and bores  7  of the shoe  10 . The stud engaging device  20  should be large enough to provide a comfortable grip for the user but also small enough to fit into the user&#39;s pocket or any sort of carrying case when not in use. The stud device  20  may also include an opening  25  in the gripping portion  24  to allow the user to carry it with a string, a chain, or the like. The stud device  20  may be made of any hard material, such as plastic, in order to maintain the structural integrity during use. 
     It should be appreciated that the one or more receiving portions  16  formed in the stud  15 , may extend along an entire length of the bottom portion  19  and flange  18 , or alternatively extend only a part of the length of the bottom portion  19 . The length and shape of the receiving portions  16  may vary in accordance with the length and shape of the prongs  21  of the stud engaging device  20  in order to allow for an appropriate engagement between the prongs  21  and receiving portions  16 . The one or more prongs  21  may be substantially parallel to each other or may be at any angle desired as long as the prongs  21  are able to project into and engage with the receiving portions  16 . The one or more prongs  21  may be made of any hard material, such as stainless steel, to reduce the chance of bending or breaking. 
     Accordingly, the one or more studs  15  can be connected to a corresponding one of the one or more bores  7  in the shoe portion  10  via the threaded portion  17  of the stud  15 , to fixedly attach the replaceable toe portion  5  to the shoe  10 . In this way, a user is provided with the ability to replace a worn out toe or other portion of a shoe and thus, maintain the structural integrity and performance of the shoe. As such, a convenient and less expensive system and method of replacing a toe or other portion of a shoe is provided, to avoid the problems associated with wearing a shoe having a worn out portion. 
     Further, it should be appreciated that the exemplary embodiments of the invention are not limited to the exemplary replaceable toe portion shown and described above. While this invention has been described in conjunction with exemplary embodiments outlined above, various alternatives, modifications, variations and/or improvements, whether known or that are, or may be, presently unforeseen, may become apparent. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the invention, as set forth above are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. The various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the replaceable toe portion of a shoe and the systems and methods of replacing the toe portion according to exemplary embodiments of this invention are intended to embrace all now known or later-developed alternatives, modifications, variations and/or improvements.