Abstract:
A modular shoe is provided by a two part shoe design. A first part is an internal support structure that includes a midsole portion and a heel counter. A second part is a removable cover that is configured to accept a specific size internal support structure to provide internal support to the soft material and outsole which comprise the cover. Various cover designs are configured to accept a single size internal support structure thereby providing for interchangeable cover and a plurality of shoe designs all sharing a single internal support structure. The removable cover takes substantially less packing space that supported shoe, thereby requiring reduced storage for a traveler packing several shoe designs all sharing a single internal support.

Description:
FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a modular shoe system and, in particular, it concerns a modular shoe having replaceable uppers and outsoles. 
         [0002]    By way of introduction, a shoe typically includes a sole section and an upper section. The sole section includes an outsole or tread section, a midsole and an insole. The foot rests on the innersole and the outsole rests on the ground. The midsole is sandwiched between the innersole and the outsole. The uppers and outsole define the appearance of the shoe. There is a need for a modular shoe system having a midsole with replaceable uppers and outsoles due to a number of reasons. First, as fashions change there is a need to change the outside look of the shoe but not the midsole portion. Second, having a midsole with replaceable uppers and outsoles will reduce shoe production costs, reduce shoe storage in shops and at home in the closet. 
         [0003]    Of relevance to the present invention is U.S. Pat. No. 1,803,554 to Knilans. Knilans teaches an athletic shoe having an elastic upper which may be inserted into or removed from a sole, heel counter and toe box. The toe box and heel counter portions are mechanically connected to the sole and cannot be changed. A shortcoming of the aforementioned system is that only part of the uppers are changeable. A further shortcoming of the aforementioned system is that the outsole cannot be changed. Another shortcoming of the aforementioned system is that the shape of the shoe cannot be changed. 
         [0004]    Also of relevance to the present invention is U.S. Pat. No. 5,065,531 to Prestridge. Prestridge teaches a shoe having an upper portion and a sole-and-toe portion which are releasably joined together by a male/female track attachment. The upper portion includes the rear section of the uppers and the eyelets therein. A shortcoming of the aforementioned system is due to the tread being connected to the innersole and is not independently changeable. A further shortcoming of the aforementioned system is that only part of the uppers are changeable. Another shortcoming of the aforementioned system is that the shape of the shoes cannot be changed. 
         [0005]    Of most relevance to the present invention is U.S. Pat. No. 5,822,888 to Terry. Terry teaches a reversible shoe having a removable midsole. The uppers are permanently joined to the outsole forming one piece. A shortcoming of the aforementioned system is due to the uppers having a zip or similar arrangement to hold the uppers in place on the midsole. The zip is visible, at least partially, and is prone to breaking. Another shortcoming of the aforementioned system is that the toe-cap is formed with the midsole and is not replaceable. A further shortcoming of the aforementioned system is that the uppers are not completely replaceable. Another shortcoming of the aforementioned system is that the shape of the shoe is restricted to the shape of the midsole structure. 
         [0006]    Also of relevance to the present invention is U.S. Pat. No. 6,427,363 to Hunter. Hunter teaches a reversible shoe that can be taken apart and reassembled. The uppers are permanently joined to the tread forming one piece. The shoe is assembled using laces, snaps or buttons. An innersole is preferred but not essential. A shortcoming of the aforementioned system is due to the uppers having a laces, snaps or buttons to hold the uppers and tread together. The laces, snaps or buttons are visible and do not allow for convenient assembly and de-assembly of the shoe. 
         [0007]    Therefore, there is a need for a modular shoe system having conveniently wholly replaceable uppers and outsoles without the need for additional fasteners in the uppers. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The present invention is a modular shoe system construction and method of operation thereof. In brief, the invention provides a shoe construction whereby an outer shell is replaceable to provide for multiple shoe constructions employing a single inner support element. A shoe of the invention consists of two main components. A core (hereinafter “bone”) serves as an internal support structure and as a salubrious vesting of the foot by acting as an orthopedic insole. A cover (hereinafter “skin”) envelops the bone to creating the illusion of a regular shoe-upper and outsole. The interchangeable skin determines the type, look, and style of the shoe. In an alternate construction, the bone includes of a specially studied sanitized insole. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0009]    The invention is herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1   a  is an isometric view of a modular shoe system that is constructed and operable in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 1   b  is an isometric view of a rear removable cover of the modular shoe system of  FIG. 1   a;    
           [0012]      FIG. 1   c  is an isometric view of the base of an internal support structure of the modular shoe system of  FIG. 1   a;    
           [0013]      FIG. 1   d  is a cross-sectional view of the internal support structure of  FIG. 1   c  being fitted to a foot; 
           [0014]      FIG. 1   e  is a sectional view of the modular shoe system of  FIG. 1   a  in an assembled state; 
           [0015]      FIG. 1   f  is a schematic view of the modular shoe system of  FIG. 1   a  in an  10  assembled state; 
           [0016]      FIG. 1   g  is an isometric view of the modular show system of  FIG. 1   a  in an assembled state; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is an isometric view of an alternative embodiment of an internal support structure of the invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is an isometric view of the two components of an internal support structure and a removable cover including a heel flap; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  illustrates the internal support structure being inserted into the removable cover; 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  illustrates plane views for a removable cover of the invention having a molded outsole; 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  illustrates cutout plane and isometric views of a modular shoe of the invention; 
           [0022]      FIGS. 7   a  to  7   v  are isometric views of removable shoe covers attached to the internal support structure of  FIG. 1   c ; and 
           [0023]      FIG. 8   a  is a sectional view of a modular shoe system that is constructed and operable in accordance with a first alternate embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 8   b  is a partial view of a modular show system of  FIG. 8   a  having a section of the removable cover cut away; 
           [0025]      FIG. 8   c  is a schematic view of the modular shoe system of  FIG. 8   a;    
           [0026]      FIG. 9   a  is a side view of an internal support structure having an elongated element disposed thereon that is constructed and operable in accordance with a first alternate embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 9   b  is an isometric view of the internal support structure of  FIG. 9   a;    
           [0028]      FIG. 9   c  is a schematic view of the internal support structure of  FIG. 9   a  inserted into a removable cover; and 
           [0029]      FIGS. 9   d  to  9   f  are isometric views of assembled shoes using the internal support structure of  FIG. 9   a.    
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0030]    The present invention is a modular shoe system construction and method of operation thereof. The principles and operation of a modular shoe system according to the present invention may be better understood with reference to the drawings and the accompanying description. 
         [0031]    Reference is now made to  FIGS. 1   a  to  1   g .  FIG. 1   a  is an isometric view of a modular shoe system  10  that is constructed and operable in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 1   b  is an isometric view of a rear removable cover  32  of modular shoe system  10 .  FIG. 1   c  is an isometric view of the base of an internal support structure  12  of modular shoe system  10 .  FIG. 1   d  is a cross-sectional view of internal support structure  12  being fitted to a foot.  FIG. 1   e  is a sectional view of modular shoe system  10  in an assembled state.  FIG. 1   f  is a schematic view of modular shoe system  10  in an assembled state (for the sake of clarity and presentation, certain features which would otherwise be hidden are shown making other features semi-transparent).  FIG. 1   g  is an isometric view of modular shoe system  10  in an assembled state. Modular shoe system  10  includes internal support structure  12 . Internal support structure  12  includes a midsole  14 , a heel counter  16  and a toe box  18 . Internal support structure  12  has a front portion  20  which includes toe box  18 . Internal support structure  12  has a rear portion  22  which includes heel counter  16 . Internal support structure  12  also includes an insole  24  disposed therein ( FIG. 1   a ). In one embodiment the Internal support structure is formed with injected polyurethane with sanitized comfort lining made of leather, textiles, or man-mades fabric. In other embodiments, the Internal support structure  12  is formed with other materials such as leather, a synthetic compound, thermoplastic, rubber, latex, wood, or cork. 
         [0032]    The internal support structure  12  preferably includes a heel area, an arc area, and a toe area. The heel area incorporates a heel counter  16  which helps support and hold the wearer&#39;s ankle in place so as to limit shoe slipping or other unnecessary movement. In one embodiment, the heel includes an inbuilt shock absorbent. In one embodiment, the arc area is orthopedic shaped and is designed to support a wide variety of foot arc shapes. In one embodiment, the toe area includes a carefully studied toe-spring angle. The toe area also incorporates a toe-cap which retains and protects the toes. 
         [0033]    Modular shoe system  10  includes a plurality of interchangeable first removable covers, for example, a removable cover  26 . Other examples of suitable first removable covers are described with reference to  FIGS. 4 to 7   v . Each of the first removable covers is configured for being alternately removably attached to the internal support structure  12  by a self aligning pressure mechanism. When modular shoe system  10  is assembled, removable cover  26  substantially covers the internal support structure  12  since the removable cover and internal support structure are made to a particular size to provide for accurate alignment between the longitudinal axis of each. Hence, removable cover  26  is removably attached to internal support structure  12  substantially solely by pressure exerted internal support structure  12  on removable cover  26 . The heal counter  16  serves to support the rear of the cover  26  in an upright position, thus providing a comfortable heal portion in the assembled shoe system  10 . The term “attached substantially solely by pressure” is defined herein as, the pressure exerted by internal support structure  12  on removable cover  26  is sufficient to ensure that removable cover  26  remains attached to internal support structure  12  during normal use of modular shoe system  10  even though, for example, other connection means between removable cover  26  and another element of modular shoe system  10  may make the attachment between removable cover  26  and internal support structure  12  more secure. 
         [0034]    To ensure that the heal counter  16  remains in position to properly apply pressure to the heal portion of the cover  26  and assist in alignment between the cover and internal support structure  12 , as shown in  FIGS. 3 ,  4 , and  6 , an internal flap  99  is provided to substantially cover the top of heal counter  16 . In particular, heel counter  16  and edges  40  of midsole  14  exert pressure on removable cover  32  to ensure that removable cover  32  is securely attached to internal support structure  12  and is properly aligned therewith. 
         [0035]    Removable cover  32  also includes a fastening arrangement  48  configured for securing modular shoe system  10  to a foot of a wearer. In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, fastening arrangement  48  includes a plurality of eyelets  50  configured for inserting a shoelace  51  through eyelets  50  ( FIG. 1   g ). In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, removable cover  26  includes a tongue  52  configured for being disposed at least partially beneath fastening arrangement  48 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 2  illustrates an embodiment of the internal support structure of the invention. The internal support structure of  FIG. 2  includes a shaped heel counter and a rounded toe cap.  FIG. 3  illustrates a cover  32  and an internal support structure of the embodiment of  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 4  illustrates the same internal support and cover when the internal support is inserted into the cover to provide a modular shoe of the invention. 
         [0037]      FIG. 5  illustrates an exemplary outsole design for a cover of the invention. As may be appreciated the outsole  98  may be formed with threads to provide increased traction for the resultant modular shoe. 
         [0038]      FIG. 6  illustrates three cutout views of a modular shoe of the invention after the internal support structure has been inserted and aligned with the cover. 
         [0039]    Reference is now made to  FIGS. 7   a  to  7   v , which are isometric views of removable shoe covers  88  alternately attached to internal support structure  12  of  FIG. 1   c . It will be appreciated by those ordinarily skilled in the art that the teachings of the modular shoe system of the present invention can be applied to form shoes of most shapes and designs including shapes and designs of both uppers and outsoles. 
         [0040]    Reference is now made to  FIGS. 8   a  to  8   c .  FIG. 8   a  is a sectional view of a modular shoe system  90  that is constructed and operable in accordance with a first alternate embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 8   b  is a partial view of shoe system  90  of  FIG. 8   a  having a section of a removable cover  100  cut away.  FIG. 8   c  is a schematic view of shoe system  90  of  FIG. 8   a  (for the sake of clarity and presentation, certain features which would otherwise be hidden are shown thereby rendering other features semi-transparent). Shoe system  90  includes an internal support structure  92 . Internal support structure  92  includes a midsole  94 , a heel counter  96  and toe box  98 . Shoe system  90  also includes one-piece removable cover  100 . Removable cover  100  includes an upper  102  and an outsole  104 . Removable cover  100  is configured for being “simply removably attached” to internal support structure  92  substantially solely by pressure exerted by internal  15  support structure  92  on removable cover  100 . Internal support structure  92  is inserted into removable cover  100  by first inserting toe box  98  into removable cover  100  and then pushing heel counter  96  into removable cover  100 . When shoe system  90  is assembled, a toe portion  118  of upper  102  substantially covers toe box  98  and a rear portion  120  of upper  102  covers heel counter  96 . As discussed above, the rear portion  120  includes a flap which partially covers the heal counter substantially along the upper portion of the heal counter  16 . The term “simply removably attached” is defined herein as, removable cover  100  does not need to be assembled around internal support structure  92  in order for removable cover  100  to cover internal support structure  92 . By way of a non-limiting example, removable cover  100  does not need to be zipped up or buttoned together in order for removable cover  100  to cover internal support structure  92 . It should be noted that removable cover  100  may require to be bent in order to insert internal support structure  92  into removable cover  100 . The term “attached substantially solely by pressure” is defined herein as, the pressure exerted by internal support structure  92  on removable cover  100  is sufficient to ensure that removable cover  100  remains attached to internal support structure  92  during normal use of shoe system  90  even though, for example, other connection means between removable cover  100  and another element of shoe system  90  strengthens the attachment between removable cover  100  and internal support structure  92 . Fastening arrangement  106  includes plurality of eyelets  108  configured for inserting a shoelace (not shown) through eyelets  108 . It will be appreciated by those ordinarily skilled in the art that fastening arrangement  106  can be implemented in other forms, for example, but not limited to a stretchable band and a buckle. Removable cover  100  also includes a tongue  112  disposed at least partially beneath fastening arrangement  106 . Outsole  104  of removable cover  100  also includes a heel  116 . Shoe system  90  also includes an insole  114  disposed in internal support structure  92 . Reference is now made to  FIG. 8   a . Shoe system  90  generally includes complementary inter-engaging features  132  for retaining removable cover  100  in position on internal support structure  92 . In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, inter-engaging features  132  has a pin  134  and an indent  136 . Pin  134  is disposed on internal support structure  92  and indent  136  is disposed in removable cover  100 . It will be appreciated by those ordinarily skilled in the art that indent  136  can be disposed in internal support structure  92  and pin  134  can be disposed on removable cover  100 . As described above, removable cover  100  is attached to internal support structure  92  solely by pressure exerted by internal support structure  92  on removable cover  100 . Inter-engaging features  132  aid the wearer of shoe system  90  to correctly position removable cover  100  on internal support structure  92 . Additionally, inter-engaging features  132  provide additional security to the wearer of shoe system  90  who may be worried about removable cover  100  slipping against internal support structure  92 . 
         [0041]    It will be appreciated by those ordinarily skilled in the art that the shape of removable cover  100 , in particular the shape of the toe section of removable cover  100  can be defined using filler sections inside removable cover  100 , the filler sections filling the gap between toe box  98  and removable cover  100 . It will be appreciated by those ordinarily skilled in the art that although toe box  98  has been shown as having a generally rounded shape, toe box  98  can be other shapes for example, but not limited to a flat end and a pointed end. 
         [0042]    The removable cover  100  preferably includes two main components, an upper and an outsole. The upper is preferably made of commonly used shoe materials such as leather, textile, manmade synthetic, laminate, coagulate, nonwoven, and patent leather. The upper is advantageously adapted to appear as a common shoe exterior. However, the internal construction of the upper does not include the common counter, stiff base (usually made of leather, nonwoven, or bonded fibers), toe-cap stiffeners. Rather the cover is constructed by an economic and efficient method similar to those employed to produce gloves and other soft clothing items. Accordingly, by this efficient and economic method a designer has available numerous possibilities and alternatives. The outsole is preferably made of a variety of sole materials such as synthetics or naturals such as leather, synthetics, thermoplastics, rubbers, latex, wood, corks or combinations of the above. The outsole tread, form and aspect are at designers discretion and may vary according to fashion, style, and functionality of the intended final use of for the modular shoe. The outsole is preferably attached to the upper by either gluing, stitching, direct injection, direct casting, or direct vulcanizing. 
         [0043]    Reference is now made to  FIGS. 9   a  to  9   c .  FIG. 9   a  is a side view of an internal support structure  122  having an elongated element  124  disposed thereon that is constructed and operable in accordance with a first alternate embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 9   b  is an isometric view of internal support structure  122  of  FIG. 9   a .  FIG. 9   c  is a schematic view of internal support structure  122  of  FIG. 9   a  inserted into a removable cover  126  (for the sake of clarity and presentation, certain features which would otherwise be hidden are shown making other features semi-transparent). Elongated element  124  is configured for insertion into a heel  128  of removable cover  126 . Elongated element  124  reduces both rotation and sideways movement of removable cover  126  with respect to internal support structure  122 . Additionally, elongated element  124  aids positioning of removable cover  126  on internal support structure  122  as well as preventing any wobbling of heel  128 . 
         [0044]    Reference is now made to  FIGS. 9   d  to  9   f  are isometric views of assembled shoes  130  using internal support structure  122  of  FIG. 9   a.    
         [0045]    It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather, the scope of the present invention includes both combinations and sub-combinations of the various features described hereinabove, as well as variations and modifications thereof that are not in the prior art which would occur to persons skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description.