Patent Publication Number: US-2023157406-A1

Title: Construction Unit and Shoe Incorporating the Construction Unit

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. Pat. Application No. 17/391,016 filed on Aug. 1, 2021; said U.S. Pat. Application No. 17/391,016 is continuation-in-part of U.S. Design Pat. Application No. 29/778,246 filed on Apr. 12, 2021, and is also a continuation-in-part application of U.S. Pat. Application No. 16/983,773 filed on Aug. 3, 2020 that issued as U.S. Pat. No. 11,304,474 on Apr. 19, 2022; said U.S. Pat. Application No. 16/983,773 is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. Pat. Application No. 16/735,680 filed on Jan. 6, 2020 that issued Aug. 4, 2020 as U.S. Pat. No. 10,729,207; said U.S. Pat. Application No. 16/735,680 claims priority to U.S. Provisional Pat. Application No. 62/837,374 filed on Apr. 23, 2019, and is a bypass continuation-in-part of PCT/US20/28739 filed on Apr. 17, 2020, which also claims priority to said U.S. Provisional Pat. Application No. 62/837,374 filed on Apr. 23, 2019; all of which are incorporated herein in their entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to footwear, and, more particularly, to a footwear construction unit with an upraised area in the underside for receiving a decorative component and to a shoe incorporating both the footwear construction unit and the decorative component installed in the upraised area. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Shoes can not only protect the foot while walking but can also enhance a fashion ensemble or provide an avenue for personal expression. Shoes vary in style from sporty to casual to formal. Not only are the shoe uppers provided in a variety of styles and with a variety of embellishments, but it is also known in the prior art to incorporate interesting or enhancing designs in the shoe outsole. For example, an outsole may have treads that will print out an appealing design, a figure, a print, a symbol, or a message on a soft walking surface. 
     Yet outsoles are limited in their decorative aspects because the outsole provides a flat surface that touches the ground or floor and that bears the weight of the wearer. Any decoration on the bottom of the sole will become soiled. Boggs, et al. attempted to overcome this problem in PCT Application No. WO2009026373 that discloses an outsole having a clear outer layer through which an underlying decorative surface layer can be viewed. However, the clear outer layer will become dirty during the wearing of the shoes, which will obscure the decorative underlayer and make it unattractive for viewing. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for a footwear construction unit to create decorative footwear with an underside carrying a decorative element, which adds interest and appeal to the overall look of the shoe, but which is not soiled by touching the walking surface and which is not obscured by the soiling of a clear overlayer. Additionally, there is a need for shoe incorporating the inventive footwear construction unit. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a footwear construction unit that accommodates a decorative component, is directed to a structural assembly that includes both the construction unit and decorative component and is also directed to an embellished shoe incorporating the structural assembly. The decorative component, when installed, is at least partially disposed within a raised lower portion of the construction unit, which supports the decorative component suspended or elevated above the ground. Due to the decorative component’s placement in the upraised area, it does not touch the ground, thereby preventing damage or abrasion to the decorative component. 
     In some aspects of the invention, the decorative component extends beyond the upraised portion of the construction unit to cover all or part of the bottom surface of the arch and/or to cover all or part of the bottom surface of the remainder of the shoe, such as the inner, forward-facing surface of the heel (heel breast) or a portion of the heel seat surrounding the heel of the shoe. 
     The embellished shoe includes at least a heel section, a toe section, an arch section disposed between the heel and toe sections, a shoe upper, the decorative component, and at least one construction unit configured with an upraised area to receive at least a portion of the decorative component. In the first embodiment, the construction unit is a toe construction unit that, when integrated into the finished shoe, is positioned in the toe section of the shoe, and is sized, shaped, and configured to fit below the toe portion of a shoe. In a second embodiment of the invention, the construction unit may be a heel construction unit positioned in the heel section of the shoe. The heel construction unit is sized, shaped, and configured to fit below the heel portion of a shoe. In an aspect of the invention, one (toe or heel) construction unit may be used to form the embellished shoe. In another aspect of the invention, two (toe and heel) construction units may be used to form the embellished shoe. To prevent redundancy, the detailed description is provided herein in application to the toe construction unit without repeating the elements and details for the heel construction unit (spatially reversed compared to the toe construction unit). Though not repeated, one skilled in the art could apply the relevant elements and descriptions to the differing spatial arrangement of the heel construction unit. (To apply the description of the toe construction unit to the heel construction unit, the directions front or forward and back or rearward are reversed.) 
     The footwear construction unit includes an upper body and a vertically extending, weight-bearing wall extending downwardly below, and providing support and underpinning to, the upper body portion of the construction unit (and to the shoe itself). The weight-bearing wall extends vertically from the bottom of the upper body of the construction unit to the ground upon which the user walks. 
     The weight-bearing wall of the construction unit terminates rearwardly at a right back wall margin and a left back wall margin with a rearward gap defined between the right and left wall margins. The rearward gap allows viewing of the decorative component that is disposed within the interior upraised area. The left and right back wall margins may be of consistent width or may taper vertically. 
     The bottom of the upper body (forming the upper body roof) and the inner surface of the weight-bearing wall (forming the sides) together define the interior upraised area that accommodates the decorative component. The upraised area may be shallow or deep. Based on considerations such as artistic design, materials used, and structural stability, the weight-bearing wall may be thin or relatively thick, may be a single wall, may be a double wall, may be a segmented wall, may be a partial wall or full wall, or may be perforated with cavities or hollows. The weight-bearing wall may be solid or may have cutouts, slits, or other wall openings that enhance ornamentation but still provide support for the user to allow walking. A thicker weight-bearing wall provides a larger surface area to contact the walking surface for stability, but a thinner weight-bearing wall allows for a larger area available for application of, and viewing of, the decorative component. 
     The weight-bearing wall may have a height that is greater than, equal to, or less than the height of the upper body of the construction unit. 
     The disposition of a decorative element within the protected, upraised area near the bottom of the shoe allows viewing of the decorative element (for example, from behind, at a side angle, or when the wearer is seated) while protecting it from the dirt and grime of a walking surface. The decorative element may be flat or may have a three-dimensional appearance or characteristics. The decorative element is elevated so that it does not touch or encounter the ground. 
     In an aspect of the invention (when the construction unit is incorporated into a shoe), the top of the construction unit lies generally in a first, upper plane (near or adjacent to the bottom of the shoe upper). The bottom of the construction unit upper body and the top of the weight-bearing wall lie generally in a second (middle) plane. And the weight-bearing wall comprises a framework that runs along at least a portion of the sides and front of the upper body and extends downwardly to terminate in a bottom boundary lying in a third (lower) plane. The weight-bearing wall may be a peripheral wall or may be inset from the periphery of the shoe. 
     In another aspect of the invention, the weight-bearing wall comprises multiple wall sections that extend downwardly from at least one of the sides and/or the front of the upper body of the construction unit and that extend downwardly to terminate in a multi-segment bottom boundary lying in the third, lower plane, as seen in  FIGS.  12 - 14 ,  31   . 
     In an additional aspect of the invention, the weight-bearing wall flares at or near the bottom boundary, which increases the surface area for engagement with the walking surface, as compared to a weight-bearing wall that does not have the flared portion and does not become thicker at the bottom. 
     In a further aspect of the invention, the decorative component is disposed only in the upraised area of the construction unit. 
     In another aspect of the invention, the decorative component is disposed in the upraised area of the construction unit and extends across the sole of the arch of the shoe. 
     In an additional aspect of the invention, the decorative component is disposed in the upraised area of the construction unit, extends across the arch of the shoe, and extends down the inner surface of the heel of the shoe. 
     In a further aspect of the invention, the decorative component is disposed on a portion of a heel seat surrounding the heel of the shoe. 
     In a further aspect of the invention, a single construction unit is incorporated into the toe of an embellished shoe of the present invention. 
     In another aspect of the invention, both a toe construction unit and a heel construction unit are incorporated into the embellished shoe of the present invention. 
     In another aspect of the invention, the construction unit includes a tread portion disposed at the bottom boundary of the weight-bearing wall. 
     In an additional aspect of the invention, the construction unit comprises an upper shoe-unit interface, a mid-base, and a foundational base. 
     In an additional aspect of the invention, an encasement is provided for attachment over at least the body inner roof surface. 
     In a further aspect of the invention an inlay is fixedly attached to at least a portion of the outside surface of the encasement. 
     In an additional aspect of the invention, the construction unit is formed unitarily as a single piece. 
     In another aspect of the invention, the construction unit is formed of multiple, fixedly connected pieces. 
     The object of the invention is to provide a construction unit and a shoe incorporating the construction unit along with a decorative component which gives an improved performance over the above-described prior art. 
     These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the attached drawings and from the detailed description of the preferred embodiments which follow. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, provided to illustrate and not to limit the invention, where like designations denote like elements. 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of a pair of high-heeled shoes of the prior art. 
         FIG.  2    is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the embellished high-heeled shoe of the present invention constructed with a toe construction unit having a tall weight-bearing wall and an upraised portion accommodating a decorative component, where the decorative component covers the floor of the upraised portion, the arch, and the inner forward-facing, breast portion of the heel. 
         FIG.  2 A  is a cut view taken from line 2A-2A of  FIG.  2    of the embellished shoe of the present invention. 
         FIG.  3    is a top perspective view of a right side of the construction unit with a tall weight-bearing wall of the present invention. 
         FIG.  4    is a perspective bottom rear view of a construction unit with a tall weight-bearing wall of the present invention. 
         FIG.  5    is a perspective top rear view of a construction unit with a tall weight-bearing wall of the present invention. 
         FIG.  6    is a side perspective view of a partially assembled embellished shoe of the present invention that incorporates a toe construction unit having a short weight-bearing wall. 
         FIG.  7    is an expanded bottom rear perspective view of a two-piece construction unit of the present invention with a short weight-bearing wall. 
         FIG.  8    is a perspective top rear view of the two-piece construction unit of  FIG.  7   . 
         FIG.  9    is a bottom perspective view of the embellished shoe of the present invention that includes a toe construction unit with a short weight-bearing wall and includes a decorative element disposed within the upraised area and extending across the arch and down the heel breast. 
         FIG.  10    is a perspective back view of the bottom of a unitarily formed, one-piece construction unit of the present invention with a short, thin weight-bearing wall. 
         FIG.  11    is a bottom rear perspective back view of a construction unit of the present invention with a weight-bearing wall including apertures. 
         FIG.  12    is a bottom perspective view of a low-heeled or flat-heeled embellished shoe of an embodiment of the present invention having both a toe construction unit and a heel construction unit. 
         FIG.  13    is a side perspective view of flat-heeled embellished shoe of an embodiment of the present invention with both a toe and heel construction unit. 
         FIG.  14    is a front top perspective view of the toe construction unit of the present invention having a multi-section, discontinuous, partial weight-bearing wall. 
         FIG.  15    is a perspective back rear view of the construction unit of the present invention with a weight-bearing wall terminating in a right and left back wall margin of consistent width. 
         FIG.  16    is a perspective back view of the bottom of the construction unit of the present invention with a weight-bearing wall terminating in tapering right and left back wall margins. 
         FIG.  17    is a perspective view of the bottom of a shoe of the present invention under construction that incorporates a toe construction unit having a weight-bearing wall terminating in tapering right and left back wall margins. 
         FIG.  18    is a perspective bottom view of a shoe of the present invention incorporating the construction unit having a weight-bearing wall terminating in tapering right and left back wall margins and having an inset channel in the bottom boundary of the construction unit or an encasement for receiving a protective sole cover. 
         FIG.  19    is an expanded side perspective view of the construction of a shoe of the present invention incorporating the construction unit and of an encasement corresponding to the shape of the bottom of the shoe to be received by the body inner roof surface, the inner surface of the weight-bearing wall, the arch, the inner heel, and the bottom boundary. 
         FIG.  20    is an expanded side perspective view of the construction of a shoe of the present invention incorporating the construction unit, an encasement corresponding to the shape of the bottom of the shoe, and an inlay corresponding to the shape of the body inner roof surface, the arch surface, and the inner heel surface. 
         FIG.  21    is an expanded side perspective view of the construction of a shoe incorporating the construction unit, an encasement corresponding to the shape of the bottom of the shoe, and of an inlay corresponding to the shape of the body inner roof surface, the inner surface of the weight-bearing wall, the arch surface, and the inner heel surface. 
         FIG.  22    is a bottom perspective view of an encasement of the present invention configured to receive decorative elements with some decorative elements installed. 
         FIG.  23    is a bottom perspective view of an encasement of the present invention. 
         FIG.  24    is an expanded side perspective view of the construction of a shoe incorporating the construction unit, an encasement, and an inlay, wherein the encasement corresponds to the shape of the body inner roof surface, the inner surface of the weight-bearing wall, the arch, the heel breast, the bottom boundary, and the wall outer surface; and wherein the inlay corresponds to the shape of the body inner roof surface, the arch surface, and the heel breast surface. 
         FIG.  25    is a perspective back view of the bottom of the construction unit of the present invention with a thick weight-bearing wall, which causes the roof of the unit body of the construction unit to be reduced in area and causes the bottom boundary to be increased in area. 
         FIG.  26    is a perspective back view of the bottom of the construction unit of the present invention with a thick weight-bearing wall with a concave inner wall having a bottom boundary spanning a portion of the area between the opposing unit sides to form a grotto within the construction unit. 
         FIG.  27    is a perspective back view of the bottom of the construction unit of the present invention having a bottom boundary spanning a portion of the area between the opposing unit sides to form a grotto within the construction unit and having large cutouts in opposing sides of the weight-bearing wall. 
         FIG.  28    is a perspective top side view of the construction unit of  FIG.  27   . 
         FIG.  29    is a perspective back view of an aspect of the inventive construction unit having an elongated ramp (including an arch extension and a heel extension), which is shown with a first exemplary small-base heel. 
         FIG.  30    is a perspective back view of an aspect of the inventive construction unit having an elongated ramp (including an arch extension and a heel extension), which is shown with a second exemplary small-base heel. 
         FIG.  31    is an expanded perspective back view of components of the shoe of the present invention, including a partial weight-bearing wall and a two-portion construction unit with inward and outward unit body portions. 
         FIG.  32    is an expanded side perspective view of a construction unit including a shoe-unit interface, a mid-base, and a foundational base. 
         FIG.  33    is a perspective bottom view of a man’s shoe incorporating the construction unit of the present invention. 
         FIG.  34    is a perspective top view of a construction unit of the present invention having an inset weight-bearing wall, a bottom boundary flange, and a channel defined by the inset wall and flange. 
         FIG.  35    is an expanded perspective bottom view of a shoe and inventive construction unit having an inset weight-bearing wall, a bottom boundary flange, and a channel defined by the inset wall and flange. 
         FIG.  36    is a perspective bottom view of a shoe, inventive construction unit, and decorative element, wherein the construction unit has an inset weight-bearing wall, a bottom boundary flange, and a channel defined by the inset wall and flange that has received a portion of the decorative element. 
         FIG.  37    is a back view of a shoe, inventive construction unit, and decorative element, wherein the construction unit has an inset weight-bearing wall, a bottom boundary flange, and a channel defined by the inset wall and flange that has received a portion of the decorative element. 
         FIG.  38    is a side view of a shoe, inventive construction unit, and decorative element, wherein the construction unit has an inset weight-bearing wall, a bottom boundary flange, and a channel defined by the inset wall and flange to receive a portion of the decorative element. 
         FIG.  39    is a front view of a shoe, inventive construction unit, and decorative element, wherein the construction unit has an inset weight-bearing wall, a bottom boundary flange, and a channel defined by the inset wall and flange that has received a portion of the decorative element. 
         FIG.  40    is a perspective bottom view of a shoe of the present invention incorporating a construction unit with an inwardly curved weight-bearing wall. 
     
    
    
     Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Shown throughout the figures, the present invention is directed toward a footwear construction unit for receiving a decorative component and toward an embellished shoe utilizing the footwear construction unit and the decorative component. The decorative component is disposed in at least an upraised portion of the construction unit, which protects the decorative component from dirt and abrasion because it is elevated above the walking surface. In one aspect of the invention, the decorative component extends from the roof of the upraised portion of the construction unit across the arch portion of the shoe sole and further to the breast portion of the shoe heel. In another aspect, the decorative component also extends vertically down the inner surface of the weight-bearing wall of the construction unit. In a further aspect, the decorative component may be additionally disposed on a portion of a heel seat exterior of an attached heel. 
     Referring now to the drawings, a conventional shoe  50  of the prior art is shown in  FIG.  1   . The prior art shoe  50  includes a heel  53 , a toe  60 , an arch  55 , an outsole  65 , and an upper  51 . 
     The upper  51  defines a volume for partially enclosing a wearer’s foot and typically includes an upper outer covering  52  (such as leather, imitation leather, fabric, or the like) and may optionally include an insole disposed to cover the footbed of the upper  51  for comfort of the wearer. The upper  51  may be a portion of a shoe of any type, such as a dress shoe, loafer, mule, boot, bootie, sandal, thong, or the like. The upper  51  may be joined to the heel  53  at heel-upper joint  56 . The heel  53  provides support for the heel portion of the upper, and in most aspects of the invention it also elevates it. 
     The heel  53  may be a high heel, as illustrated in  FIG.  1   , or a medium, low, or flat heel. The outsole  65  forms the finished bottom of the shoe  50  including the walking surface and may also comprise one or more midsole layers (not shown). The outsole  65  may include any, or all, of a toe outsole  57  below the toe section  60 , an arch outsole  54  below the arch section  55 , a heel breast  63  covering, and a heel cap  66  disposed at the bottom surface of the heel  53 . In some aspects of the invention, a platform  58  may be disposed at the lower part of the toe section  60 , as in the exemplary high-heeled shoe illustrated, and may serve to elevate the toe portion of the upper for aesthetic reasons. In this case, toe platform covering material  6   2  may be disposed on the outer surface of the platform  58  to coordinate with or contrast with the rest of the shoe  50  or to otherwise enhance the look of the shoe  50 . 
     In  FIG.  2   , an embellished shoe, shown generally as reference number  100 , is illustrated in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the embellished shoe  100  comprises the heel  53 , toe  60 , arch  55 , and an upper  51  of the prior art shoe  50 , and it also comprises a shoe structural assembly that includes both a decorative component  150  and a construction unit  110 . The construction unit  110  is configured with an upraised area  105  ( FIGS.  2 ,  4 - 5   ) for receiving at least a portion of the decorative component  150 . The decorative component  150  may be disposed directly or indirectly on part or all of the undersurfaces of the shoe toe  60 , arch  55 , and/or heel breast  63  and may comprise a toe decorative element  155  ( FIG.  9   ), arch decorative element  140 , and/or heel decorative element  145 . 
     In some embodiments of the invention, a single construction unit  110  (a toe construction unit) is utilized to form the embellished shoe  100 , as seen in  FIGS.  2 ,  6 ,  9 ,  17 - 21 ,  24 ,  29 - 31 ,  33 ,  35 - 40   . In other embodiments of the invention ( FIGS.  12 - 13   ), both a toe construction unit  110  and a heel construction unit  160  are utilized to form the embellished shoe  100 . 
     The construction unit  110  comprises an upper unit body  111  and a lower weight-bearing wall  101 , which, in a preferred aspect, are formed unitarily, as in  FIGS.  3 - 5   . In another aspect, they may be formed separately and fixedly attached, as in  FIGS.  7 - 8   . 
     In the finished shoe, the construction unit  110  is fixedly joined to the shoe. Specifically, a construction body top surface  113  ( FIGS.  3 ,  5 ,  8   ), which is the top surface of the upper body  111  portion of the construction unit, is fixedly attached, directly or indirectly, to the bottom of the shoe upper portion at an upper first level. Various standard shoe elements may be incorporated into the upper  51  or disposed between the upper  51  and the body top surface  113 , such as midsoles, outsoles, portions of the upper, and other elements as known in the art. The body top surface  113  may be configured to enhance the adherence of the top body surface  113  to the toe upper portion. A bonding agent may be used with or without additional mechanical devices. For example, the body top surface  113  may be irregular. The top body surface  113  may be textured or scored or otherwise treated to increase the surface area to enhance bonding, as shown in  FIG.  5   . The body top surface  113  may be configured with concave dimples to be received by corresponding convex hollows within the toe upper portion. Or the body top surface  113  and the toe upper portion may be configured with channels  157 ,  158  ( FIG.  17   ) for receiving monofilament  159  (which may be concealed by a covering) to mechanically tie the parts together. 
     The upper unit body  111  of the construction unit extends vertically downward from the body top surface  113  to an intersectional area  114  ( FIG.  5   ) that is generally at the level of the body inner roof surface  119 . The weight-bearing wall  101  extends downwardly from the intersectional area  114  to the ground. 
     The upper unit body  111  of the construction unit extends horizontally from front to back from a body front surface  118  ( FIG.  14   ) to a body back surface  116  ( FIG.  5   ) and extends horizontally from side to side between right and left lateral body lateral outer surfaces  112  ( FIG.  3   ). The weight-bearing wall  101  extends downwardly from at least a portion of the periphery of the sides and front of the upper body  111  to the ground in the first embodiment but extends downwardly from an area inset from the periphery in  FIGS.  34 - 39    . The thickness of the weight-bearing wall  101  is the distance between the weight-bearing wall exterior surface  102  ( FIG.  3   ) and the weight-bearing wall interior surface  104  ( FIGS.  4 - 5   ). This thickness may vary in portions of the weight-bearing wall  101  (as seen in  FIG.  40   ) or remain constant throughout the entirety of the weight-bearing wall  101 . In one aspect, the weight-bearing wall  101  is thin but expands outwardly slightly at the out the bottom to form a flare  103  ( FIGS.  4 - 5   ). If the thickness of the wall  101  is thin, more space is allowed in the interior upraised area  105 , which can accommodate the decorative component  150 , while maintaining the functionality of bearing the weight of the wearer. In another aspect of the invention shown in  FIG.  25   , the wall  101  is thick, which reduces the space for the decorative component  150  but increases the area of the bottom boundary  107 . The wall  101  surrounds the body inner roof surface  119  that is at the second (middle) level, which is lower than the upper first level at the body top surface  113 . 
     The weight-bearing wall  101  ends at the back on the right and on the left at the right and left peripheral back margins  109  ( FIGS.  4 - 5   ). An open space  144  is defined between the right and left peripheral back margins  109 , and there is no weight-bearing wall  101  extending downwardly from the center  148  of the back of the upper body  111 . This creates the open space  144  between the right and left peripheral back margins  109  ( FIGS.  4 - 5   ), which allows viewing of the decorative component  150  (which will be disposed within the interior upraised area  105 . In the first embodiment, the right, front, and left exterior surface  102  of the weight-bearing wall  101  substantially aligns with the body right outer surface  112 , the body front surface  118 , and the body left outer surface  112 , thereby giving a smooth, finished look. 
     The weight-bearing wall  101  extends downwardly from the intersectional area  114  ( FIG.  5   ) to terminate in a bottom boundary  107 . The bottom boundary  107  extends from a bottom boundary outer edge  149  ( FIGS.  15 ,  25 ,  26   ) to a bottom boundary inner edge  141  ( FIGS.  15 ,  25 ,  26   ). The bottom boundary  107  meets the inner wall  104  at inner junction  120  ( FIGS.  15 ,  40   ), which in some aspects of the invention, such as in  FIG.  15   , corresponds to the bottom boundary inner edge  141 . In  FIG.  15   , wall-boundary inner junction  120  is a substantially right-angle corner. In other aspects of the invention, the wall-boundary inner junction  120  may not form a right angle but may be curved, less than ninety-degrees, more than ninety-degrees, or curved less than ninety-degrees, more than ninety-degrees, or curved, as seen in  FIG.  40   . The bottom boundary  107  is disposed at a third level that is lower than a second level, and which is generally at least partially planar. Bottom boundary  107  may be the walking surface or may be covered entirely or partially with a tread, outsole, protective sole cover  173 , or encasement  180  ( FIGS.  20 - 21   ) based on considerations of style and functionality. Bottom boundary  107  may optionally be configured with texturing or grooves  138  ( FIGS.  9 ,  40   ) to increase traction. 
     The upraised area  105  is an open space that serves as a decoration-receiving recess. The upraised area  105  has a top (as oriented as in  FIG.  5    and as oriented when incorporated into a shoe) defined by the body inner roof surface  119  ( FIG.  4   ) of the upper body  111  and has sides defined by the inner wall surface  104  of the weight-bearing wall  101 . There is a gap between the right and left peripheral back margins  109  of the weight-bearing wall  101  with nothing bridging the gap, so that the back portion of the weight-bearing wall  101  is open. 
     The body inner roof surface  119  is disposed at the second level. The second level is above the third level, which thus elevates the top of the upraised area  105  above the walking surface and thus minimizes or eliminates damage to and sullying of the decorative component  150  carried within the upraised area  105 . The height of the weight-bearing wall  101  is generally the distance between the second and third levels, while the height of the upper body  111  is generally the distance between the first and second levels. The height of the weight-bearing wall  101  may vary based on the height of the decorative component  150  and on stylistic and functional requirements. For example, the height of the wall  101  is significantly less in the man’s shoe of  FIG.  33    than the woman’s platform shoe of  FIG.  2   . The height of the weight-bearing wall  101  is greater than the height of the decorative component  150 , so that the decorative component  150  is elevated above the ground. 
     Because the back (between the peripheral back margins  109 ) of the weight-bearing wall  101  is open, the decorative component  150  can be directly or indirectly fixedly attached to the body inner roof surface  119  and can run continuously out the back of the upraised area  105  between the right and left peripheral back margins  109  ( FIGS.  4 - 5   ). In one aspect, the decorative component  150  is further disposed on, and directly or indirectly fixedly attached to, the inner surface of the weight-bearing wall  101 . In another aspect, the decorative component is also disposed on, and directly or indirectly fixedly attached to, the bottom surface of the arch section  55  of the shoe and/or the heel breast  63 . The decorative component  150  comprises one or more of a toe decorative element  155  ( FIG.  9   ) attached to a toe decoration-receiving surface (body inner roof surface  119 ), an arch decorative element  140  ( FIG.  9   ) attached to an arch decoration-receiving surface (arch surface  54 ,  FIG.  1   ), a heel decorative element  145  ( FIG.  9   ) attached to a heel decoration-receiving surface, and a body inner floor (grotto) decorative element attached to a body inner floor surface (grotto floor)  108  ( FIG.  28   ). In some aspects of the invention, the decorative component  150  also is disposed on, and directly or indirectly fixedly attached to, all or at least a portion of the inner wall surface  104  of the weight-bearing wall  101  that partially defines the upraised area  105 . 
     The decorative component  150  has a height less than the height that the inner wall surface  104  extends below the body inner roof surface  119 , which prevents scratching or soiling of the decorative component  150 . The decorative component  150  may be substantially flat (such as a brightly colored sheet, dye, or film of iridescent material), may be thin (such as ostrich skin or alligator skin), may have a medium thickness (such as the half pearls of  FIG.  9   ), or may have a taller height up to a height just less than the height of the recess (such as multi-jeweled chains extending from the body inner roof surface  119  and having a height just less than the height of the inner wall surface  104 ). For example, the decorative components may comprise crystals, rhinestones, ceramic beads or particles, glass beads or particles, porcelain, textiles, sequins, mirrors or pliable mirror foiling or plastic mirror film, links of chains, metal electroplating (gold, silver, copper, and the like), fur, dye, precious stones (diamonds, emeralds, rubies, and the like, semiprecious stones, exotic skins, leathers including quilted or printed leathers, and other two-dimensional and three-dimensional synthetic or natural materials. The decorative component  150  may be individual, linked, or composite elements fixedly attached to the decoration-receiving surface, may be a sheet of material (substrate  177  of  FIG.  2 A ) with individual, linked, or composite elements fixedly attached to the substrate  177  that is then fixedly attached to the decoration-receiving surface, may be a sheet of material with an attractive pattern, color, or texture, or may be a combination of individual, linked, or composite elements and a sheet of material with an attractive pattern, color, or texture. Individual elements of the decorative component  150  may be set in individual settings or may be set in channels. The elements of the decorative component  150  may be of a consistent size or may vary in size. In an exemplary aspect, shown in  FIG.  2   , the decorative component  150  comprises a substrate  177  embedded with or otherwise carrying rhinestones. In an exemplary aspect shown in  FIG.  9   , the decorative component  150  comprises multiple half spheres, such as half pearls. In the exemplary aspect of  FIGS.  12 - 13   , the decorative component  150  comprises individual medallions, nail heads, or studs fixedly adhered to the decoration-receiving surface. 
     In one aspect of the invention, the height of the weight-bearing wall  101  (around upraised area  105 ) of the construction unit  110  has a height that is greater than the height of the upper unit body  111 . This aspect can be seen in  FIGS.  3 - 5    in which the inner wall surface  104  of wall  109  has a height that is greater than the height of the back surface  116  of the body  111 . In this aspect, the distance between the first plane and second plane is smaller than the distance between the second and third planes. 
     In another aspect of the invention, the height of the weight-bearing wall  101  has a height that is less than the height of the unit body  111 . This aspect can be seen in  FIGS.  7 - 8    in which the inner wall surface  104  has a height that is much less than the height of the body back surface  116 . In this aspect, the distance between the first plane and second plane is larger than the distance between the second and third planes. 
     In an additional aspect of the invention, the height of the weight-bearing wall  101  has a height that is approximately equal to the height of the body  111 , as seen in  FIG.  10   . 
     The body top surface  113  is shaped, sized, and configured to be fixedly attached to the bottom surface of the toe section  60  of the upper  51 . Thus, the body top surface  113  of the upper body  111  will, in general, correspond to the general shape of the toe section  60  (such as generally V-shaped for pointed-toed shoes or generally U-shaped for rounded-toed shoes). And in some aspects of the invention, the outer body surface and weight-bearing wall  101  will follow the V-or U-shape of the toe, but in other aspects, such as in  FIG.  31   , may be varied based on design and functional considerations. 
     The direct or indirect (such as with intermediary layers) attachment of the construction unit  110  to the bottom of the toe section may be by means of a glue, adhesive, or other bonding agent; may be by mechanical means such as screws, monofilament  159  ( FIG.  17   ) tying the two together, or other mechanical devices; or may be by a combination, such as the use of both a bonding agent and one or more mechanical devices. The monofilament  159  may be disposed within a channel  157 ,  158  in either, or both of, the construction unit  110  and the shoe upper portion and may be used to sew or bind them together. 
     In one aspect, as seen in  FIG.  3   , the rear portion  148  of the upper body  111  is configured with a wedge  117 . The wedge  117  extends upwardly at the back of the body top surface  113 , which follows the line of the shoe upper between the toe section and the arch section to form an incline or ramp. The wedge  117  tapers rearwardly to an edge  122 . For some styles of shoes, the inclusion of the wedge  117  enhances the attachment of the body  111  to the upper  51  (or to a midsole disposed between the upper  51  and the wedge  117 ) and increases the robustness of the upper body  111 . 
     Also seen in  FIG.  3   , the body outer surface  112  extends vertically downwardly from the periphery of the body top surface  113 . The weight-bearing wall outer surface  102  also extends vertically downwardly and is generally aligned with the body outer surface  112 . This alignment creates a smooth facade, which may be covered with a covering  62  ( FIG.  6   ) or may be left exposed based substantially on aesthetic considerations. Similarly, as seen in  FIG.  5   , the body back surface  116  extends downwardly from the back edge  122  ( FIG.  3   ) of the body top surface  113  and/or the back wedge  117 . And the weight-bearing wall back surface  106  extends downwardly in general alignment with the body back surface  116  to create a smooth façade, which may be covered by a footwear material or may remain uncovered. 
       FIG.  6    illustrates a partially assembled embellished shoe  100 , which shows a step in an exemplary assembly. In manufacturing the embellished shoe  100 , the body top surface  113  is fixedly attached to the bottom surface of the toe section  60  of the shoe upper. Therefore, preferably, the outer perimeter of the upper body  111  and the outer perimeter of the weight-bearing wall  101  conform to the shape of the outer perimeter of the upper toe section  60  to produce a smooth façade. However, based on design decisions or aesthetic considerations, the creation of a smooth façade is not necessary to the invention. 
     In an aspect of the invention, as seen in  FIG.  6   , the perimeter of the body  111  and of the weight-bearing wall  101  are covered with a covering  62 , which may match, coordinate with, or contrast with the material forming the shoe upper  51  based on aesthetic considerations. The covering  62  may be selected by the manufacturer to veneer the body outer surface  112  and wall outer surface  102  with ornamental material that may match with, coordinate with, or contrast with the decorative component  150  and/or the material forming the shoe upper  51 . 
     In another aspect of the invention, the perimeter of the body  111  and of the weight-bearing wall  101  remain uncovered with the material forming the construction unit exposed. 
     In a further aspect of the invention, the bottom boundary  107  may be textured, smooth, or grooved  138  to provide additional traction. 
     In an aspect of the invention shown in  FIG.  18   , an additional outsole portion, protective sole cover  173 , is fixedly attached to the bottom surface of an encasement or of bottom boundary  107 . The bottom of the protective sole cover  173  may be textured, smooth, or grooved to form a tread  171 . The protective sole cover  173  may be formed of a rubber or rubber-like material, may be formed of a slip-resistant material to add grip strength, or may be formed of other conventional outsole materials. The protective sole cover  173  may cover all or a portion of the bottom boundary  107 . If only a portion of the bottom boundary  107  is covered, a concavity (within the bottom boundary  107 ) may form a concave channel  179  sized and shaped to receive the protective sole cover  173  with a rim  178  of the bottom boundary  107  remaining at the edge of the protective sole cover  173 . Though  FIG.  18    shows the rim  178  on the interior of the protective sole cover  173 , in another aspect the rim  178  is disposed on the exterior of the protective sole cover  173 . 
       FIGS.  12 - 13    illustrate the second embodiment in which an open-back toe construction unit  110  is disposed on the toe of a flat shoe and in which a second construction unit, a heel construction unit  160 , is disposed on the heel of a flat shoe. The heel construction unit  160  may be closed (as seen in  FIG.  12   ) or may correspond to the toe construction unit  110  and be open, as in  FIG.  13   . (The heel construction unit  160  is not discussed separately, as it corresponds to the described toe construction unit, though in a different spatial orientation.) In  FIG.  12   , the closed construction unit  160  is disposed on the heel section of the shoe and the open-back construction unit  110  is disposed on the toe section of the shoe. In  FIG.  13    two open-back construction units  110  are used (one disposed on the toe and one on the heel). In another aspect, two closed construction units  160  may be used (one disposed on the toe and one on the heel). In a further aspect, the open-back construction unit  110  may be disposed on the heel section and the closed construction unit  160  may be disposed on the toe section. 
     The closed heel construction unit  160  comprises at least a full or partial arcuate wall  163  and a full or partial transverse wall  166 . In an aspect of the invention, the arcuate wall  163  and the transverse wall  166  are fixedly attached to the body  111  that is then attached to the upper  51  or to the midsole disposed below the upper  51 . In this aspect, an upraised region  165  is an open space defined by the inner curved sides of the arcuate wall  163 , the inner side of the transverse wall  166 , and an upraised region top surface. The closed upraised region  165  is configured to receive the decorative element. 
     Though the heel construction unit  160  is illustrated as a short heel (around three-fourth inches in height), the closed construction unit may be implemented with much taller walls  163 ,  166 . 
     In the second embodiment illustrated in  FIGS.  12 - 13   , both the upper unit body  111  and the weight-bearing wall  101  of the toe construction unit  110  are segmented to enhance the flexibility. Though in the first embodiment the weight-bearing wall  101  and the body  111  are preferably formed unitarily by molding, in this embodiment the weight-bearing wall  101  and the body  111  are formed in segmented members  121 . Each segmented member  121  includes a segment of the wall  101  and a segment of the body  111 . Adjacent segmented members  121  are separated by a horizontal gap  129  between the wall bottom surfaces of adjacent segmented members  121 , a vertical gap  127  along the inner wall surface  104  ( FIG.  13   ) between adjacent segmented members  121 , and a horizontal gap  128  between the upper body  111  of adjacent segmented members  121 . Having two or more segmented members  121  may provide an advantage to some shoes in that the segments increase the flex or bend of the portion of the sole to which they are applied. However, the segmented members  121  may be utilized by shoe designers for aesthetic reasons on other shoes that do not need the flexing functionality. 
       FIGS.  14 - 17    illustrate an aspect in which a sloped or inclined back wedge  117  at the rear of the construction unit  110  tapers to a very thin back edge  122 . This allows a very smooth transition between the construction unit  110  and the arch, which may have both functional and aesthetic advantages. 
       FIGS.  15 - 17    illustrate an aspect in which the center of the bottom boundary  107  has a greater thickness than the front or the rear of the bottom boundary  107 , which may be advantageous in providing traction and walking stability. The right and left peripheral back margins  109  may be somewhat thinner in thickness than the middle of the bottom boundary  107  and may be generally uniform in thickness, as in  FIG.  15   , or may taper to a narrow V-shape, as illustrated in  FIGS.  16 - 17   . The narrow V-shape may allow easier viewing of the interior decorative component  150 . 
       FIGS.  15 - 16    also illustrate a weight-bearing wall  101  that has a narrow width at the front, from wall outer edge  149  to wall inner edge  141 . The inner wall is substantially vertical. This is in contrast to the aspect show in  FIGS.  25 - 26    in which the front of the weight-bearing wall  101  has a wide width from wall outer edge  149  to wall inner edge  141 . And, additionally, in  FIG.  26    the inner wall is not substantially vertical, but it is instead inset (such as to form a smooth concavity or grotto). Thus, the inner and outer surfaces of the wall  101  may be generally parallel (as in  FIG.  15   ) or may not be parallel (as in  FIG.  26   ). And the width of the wall may be thin or thick. When the wall width is thin, a larger surface area of the body inner roof surface  119  is available for receiving decorative elements. When the wall is thicker, it may provide more traction, but reduces the area of the body inner roof surface  119  available for receiving decorative elements. 
       FIG.  17    illustrates the very smooth transition between the construction unit  110  and the arch area  55  that can be achieved when the back of the construction unit  110  is tapered into the wedge  117  ending at edge  122 , as illustrated in  FIGS.  15 - 18   . The shoe under construction in  FIG.  17    is shown before an outer covering (such as leather, imitation leather, or cloth) is disposed along the outer side and front surfaces of the construction unit  110  and the toe portion of the midsole to provide a consistent, elegant look. Additionally, to finish the manufacture of the shoe in  FIG.  17   , an encasement  180  ( FIG.  19   ) may be applied to any or all of the upraised area  105 , the wedge portion  117 , and the arch portion  55 ; and then a decorative component  150  may be applied to the outside of the encasement  180  or may be integrated into the encasement  180 . 
       FIGS.  19 - 24    illustrate a third embodiment of the invention that further discloses an encasement  180 , where the encasement  180  conforms to the bottom portion of the shoe to give a polished, refined look. The use of the encasement  180  enables the multiple portions of the construction unit and shoe bottom portions to be smoothly covered and enhanced, which is comparable to the finished look achieved by using material to cover the parts of the upper to give a smooth, finished look. The encasement  180  may coordinate or contrast with the upper, based substantially on fashion and aesthetic concerns. 
     The encasement  180  comprises at least a recess roof encasing portion  188  ( FIGS.  20 ,  23   ), and preferably also comprises one or more of a recess wall encasing portion  181 , an arch encasing portion  185 , a heel breast encasing portion  184 , and an underside encasing portion  189 . The recess roof encasing portion  188  is sized and configured to fit over and, in the finished shoe, to be fixedly attached to the body inner roof surface  119 . The recess wall encasing portion  181  is sized and configured to fit over and, in the finished shoe, configured to have its inward-facing surface fixedly attached to the outer surface of the peripheral inner wall  104 . The inner heel encasing portion  184  is sized and configured to fit over and, in the finished shoe, configured to have its inward-facing surface fixedly attached to the outer surface of the inner heel breast  63 . The arch encasing portion  185  is sized and configured to fit over and, in the finished shoe, configured to have its inward-facing surface fixedly attached to the outer surface of the bottom or arch  55 . The underside encasing portion  189  is sized and configured to fit over and, in the finished shoe, configured to have its inward-facing surface fixedly attached to the surface of the bottom boundary  107 . Specifically, the inner side  187  ( FIG.  19   ) of underside encasing portion  189  is fixedly attached to the outside of the bottom boundary  107 . As shown, the underside encasing portion  189  may be configured with irregularities  171  ( FIG.  20   ), such as grooves or texturing, to increase traction and facilitate walking stability. In an aspect, the underside encasing portion  189  may be configured with an inset that covers a portion of the bottom boundary  107 . For example, if the encasement  180  is formed of a precious metal, a thermoplastic insert within the underside encasing portion  189  may be included to slightly elevate the precious metal to avoid wear. The insert may be replaceable. In an aspect the underside encasing portion  189  may comprise multiple layers with an inner decorative layer and an outer wearable layer, such as a thin transparent synthetic stratum. 
     The encasement  180  may be formed in parts and fixedly joined together or may be formed unitarily, such as by molding. The encasement  180  may be a thin skin to enhance the finished look or may be thicker to provide cushioning and/or to facilitate attachment of the decorative component  150 . In one aspect the encasement  180  is formed of thermoplastic. In another aspect the encasement  180  is formed of metal. 
     In the finished shoe, the decorative component  150  is received by, and disposed within, the upraised area  105  and is directly or indirectly attached to at least one of the inner surface of the inner wall  104  or the body inner roof surface  119 . One method of indirect attachment is through the use of an encasement  180 . Another method of indirect attachment is shown in  FIG.  2 A  where the decorative component  150  is carried by a substrate  177 , which may be formed by an inlay  172  that is fixedly attached to the encasement  180 . In another method of direct or indirect attachment of the decorative component to the surface of the inner wall  104  or the body inner roof surface  119 , the decorative component is formed integrally with the surface of the inner wall  104 , the body inner roof surface  119  or an encasement or inlay covering the wall or roof surface. 
     In one aspect, an inlay  172  may be large to substantially cover the entire area of the upraised area  105 , arch bottom surface, and heel inner surface, as seen in  FIG.  21   . In a further aspect, the inlay  172  may be larger to substantially cover the entire area of the upraised area  105 , arch bottom surface, heel inner surface, and the toe platform  62  as seen in  FIG.  24   . In another aspect, the inlay  172  may only cover a portion of the upraised area  105 . In another aspect, the inlay may cover only the body inner roof surface  119  or the inlay may cover only the recess roof encasing portion  188  that covers the body inner roof surface  119 . In another aspect, as seen in  FIG.  20   , the inlay  172  may cover the body inner roof surface  119  (or the recess roof encasing portion  188  that covers the body inner roof surface  119 ), the arch bottom surface, and heel inner surface. The inlay  172  corresponds generally in shape to the portions to be covered. In one aspect inlay  172  may be formed of a flexible material that has a degree of elasticity or adjustability to enable to inlay  172  to be applied smoothly. 
     Though  FIG.  22    shows a single type of decorative component for fixedly attaching to the recess roof encasing portion  188 , the recess wall encasing portion  181 , the arch encasing portion  185 , and the inner heel encasing portion  184 , there is no requirement that a single type of decorative component be used. As dictated by fashion, aesthetics, and functionality, multiple types of decorative components may be used. For example, if sharp spikes are attached to the recess roof encasing portion  188 , metal studs may be attached to the other portions of the outer portion of the encasement  180 . Or in a second example, rhinestones may be attached to the recess roof encasing portion  188 , the arch encasing portion  185 , and the inner heel encasing portion  184  with sequins attached to the recess wall encasing portion  181 . The thickness of the encasement  180  may be based on the type of decorative component  150  that will be attached, as well as aesthetic and functional concerns. 
       FIGS.  25 - 26    illustrate the aspect of the invention having a weight-bearing wall  101  with a front portion that is thicker than the front portion of the weight-bearing wall  101  in earlier embodiments. This thickened front portion creates an expanded front portion of the bottom boundary  107 . The expanded front portion of the bottom boundary  107  provides a variation in the design and a larger surface area for walking. The expanded bottom boundary  107  allows the inner surface  104  of the weight-bearing wall  101  to be vertical ( FIG.  25   ) or inset ( FIG.  26   ). The inset inner surface  104  allows for an undercut to form a cavern-like upraised area  105 . 
       FIGS.  11 ,  14 ,  27 ,  28    illustrate that the weight-bearing wall  101  need not be solid, but can be configured with one or more cut-throughs, holes, latticework, slits, or the like with the limitation that the weight-bearing wall  101  retains sufficient robustness to bear the weight of the wearer. 
       FIG.  11    illustrates an aspect of the invention in which there are one or multiple openings  125  within the weight-bearing wall  101 . Each opening is defined by a top frame  126 , a bottom frame  123 , and opposing side frames  124 . The opening or openings  125  may serve as a type of window allowing a viewer to catch glimpses of the decorative component  150 . The opening or openings  125  may also reduce the weight of the construction unit  110  but can be designed in such a manner as to minimize the reduction in strength. 
       FIG.  14    illustrates a slot-type opening  125  in the weight-bearing wall  101  that provides another means for a viewer to view the interior decorative component  150 . The slot-type opening  125  is defined by side frames  124  and a top frame  126 . 
       FIGS.  27 - 28    illustrate a fourth embodiment in which the upraised are  105  is aa grotto-like cavity with a grotto floor  108  spanning the area between the opposing side walls  101 . 
     This embodiment adds another area that can receive a decorative component  150 . In the first embodiment, there is a possibility of applying a decorative material or embellishment  150  to any or all of the body inner roof surface  119 , the inner surface  104  of wall  101 , the wedge  117 , the back rearward surface  148  of the unit body  111 , the arch  55 , and the heel breast  63 . This fourth embodiment adds another area to which a decorative component  150  may be applied, and this is the grotto floor surface  108 . When the grotto-type construction unit  110  and decorative component  150  are installed into an embellished shoe  100 , a viewer may glimpse the decorative component disposed on the body inner roof surface when the wearer’s legs are crossed, but then, when the wearer changes the angle of the foot, the viewer may glimpse the decorative component disposed on the grotto floor  108 . At various angles, any decorative component disposed on the inner wall  104 , the wedge  117 , the back rearward surface  148  of the unit body  111 , the arch  55 , and the breast  63  of the heel  53  may be viewable. 
     The interior of the grotto is viewable from the back ( FIGS.  26 ,  27 ,  28   ) or through either of the two openings  125  disposed on opposing sides of the outer wall  101  in  FIGS.  27 ,  28   . Each of the openings are defined by a top frame  126  at the level of the unit body inner roof surface  119 , a bottom frame  123  at the level of the horizontally extending grotto floor  108 , and a set of side frames  124 . The open space within the grotto is defined by the side opening  125  frames, a front and two back portions of the wall  101 , grotto floor  108 , and body inner roof surface  119 . 
     The top frame  126  is disposed at the top of the side opening  125 . It may be aligned with the unit body inner roof surface  119  to form a smooth transition. 
     The bottom frame  123  is disposed at the bottom portion of the side opening. The front portion of the bottom frame  123  is at the level of and contiguous with a floor  108 , which extends horizontally between the two opposing sides of a portion of the weight-bearing outer wall  101 . 
     More specifically, in the aspect of the invention that is illustrated, the floor  108  extends horizontally side-to-side between the bottom frame  123  of one side opening  125  to the bottom frame  123  of the opposite side opening  125 . The floor  108  extends horizontally front-to-back from the inner surface  104  ( FIG.  15   ) of the front portion of wall  101  to the rearmost grotto floor edge, which is also the bottom boundary inner edge  141 . In another aspect of the invention, the floor  108  extends horizontally side-to-side between the opposing sides of the inner surface  104  ( FIG.  15   ) of the wall  101  and extends horizontally front-to-back from the inner surface  104  ( FIG.  15   ) of the front portion of wall  101  to the rearmost grotto floor edge at bottom boundary inner edge  141 , but it is not disposed at the level of the bottom frame  123 . 
     In the first embodiment, the body top portion surface  119  is at an upper first level, the body inner roof surface is at a second level below the first level, and the bottom boundary is at a third level adjacent to the ground and below the second level. This fourth embodiment adds a fourth level, which is the level of the grotto floor  108 . The fourth level is above the third level, but below the second level. Though one or more of the levels may be planar, there is no requirement for this, and, in most cases, the levels will not be planar. 
     In the first embodiment the decorative component  150  attached to the body inner roof surface  119  has a height less than the height of the inner wall surface  104 , which elevates the decorative component  150  above the ground. In the fourth embodiment, the decorative component  150  attached to the body inner roof surface  119  (the roof of the grotto) will typically have a vertical height less than the vertical distance between the body inner roof surface  119  and the grotto floor  108 . 
     The fifth embodiment of the invention is shown in  FIGS.  29 - 30   . The fifth embodiment provides a construction unit  110  that is lengthened or extended to include not only the toe construction unit portion already described, but to also include an arch extension  191  and a heel extension  209 . Thus, the construction unit  110  is not limited to ending at the back area of the shoe toe, such as at the wedge back edge  122  (as seen in  FIGS.  3 ,  17   ), but it may extend as an elongated ramp to cover the entire shoe base. In this embodiment, the unit body  111  begins at the shoe toe area (which carries the weight-bearing wall  101 ), extends past the toe area to the arch area (as arch extension  191 ), and further extends past the arch area to end at the distal heel area (as heel extension  209 ). In an aspect, the elongated construction unit is formed unitarily for strength. 
     Also shown in  FIGS.  29 - 30    is an added area at the bottom of a shoe that can be utilized to display a portion of the decorative component  150 . In this aspect, a shoe heel  200  with a small base  201  is fixedly attached to the shoe. The use of a smaller base  201  than is typical for the heel permits the area around the heel, the perimetric margin  199 , to additionally be available for receiving the decorative component  150 . The perimetric margin  199  is a flat or gently curved area of the elongated construction unit around the base of the heel  200 . Though the small-base heel  200  is illustrated with a tall vertical support portion  153 , a medium or short vertical support portion  153  is within the scope of the invention. 
     The small-base heel  200  is fixedly attached to the shoe in any of the various ways known in the art of shoemaking. Two exemplary attachment means are shown in  FIGS.  29  and  30   .  FIG.  29    shows a peg  195  that corresponds to a receiving aperture  196  disposed within the heel portion of the elongated construction unit. The peg  195  is inserted into the receiving aperture  196  (and may additionally extend into an aperture  197  of the upper) and may secured by adhesive and/or by mechanical devices  193 , such as screws or monofilament, either of which may make use of the holes  194 .  FIG.  30    shows a second exemplary attachment means in which the heel  200  includes a concavity  202  aligned with an aperture  196  in the extended construction unit  190  and an aperture in a portion of the bottom of the upper  51 . The heel  200  is attached mechanically and/or adhesively. For example, a bolt  198  (with a large head or base  192 ) may be installed to join the upper  51 , the extended construction unit  190 , and the heel  200 . An insole  69  (and/or other inner shoe layers) may function to cover the base  192  of the mechanical attachment. 
     When the heel  200  is installed onto the finished shoe, the perimetric heel margin  199  exterior to the outer portion of the heel base  201  provides a foundation upon which the decorative component  150  may be directly or indirectly disposed. The decorative component  150  may be adhered directly to the perimetric heel margin  199 , or the perimetric heel margin  199  may be covered by a suitable covering with the decorative component  150  fixedly attached to or adhered to the suitable heel covering. Thus, this aspect provides an additional area to which a decorative component  150  may be displayed. 
     In all the embodiments, the decorative component  150  is attached securely to the underlying surface. In some aspects, the decorative component  150  may be attached via glue, adhesive, or other bonding agent. In an aspect, the decorative component  150  may be further secured with threading extending from the underlying portion of the shoe and engaged with the decorative component  150 . In an example show in  FIG.  22   , the decorative component is rhinestones or rhinestone-like stones  170  disposed within cone-shaped receiving holes  175  that may be held within the receiving holes  175  with glue, adhesive, or mechanical settings. In an aspect, a pave-type setting may be used, in which multiple small stones, beads, or the like are closely set with minimal visibility of the metal prongs holding them in place to provide the look of a sparkly pavement. 
     In the aspect in which the decorative component  150  is disposed on or integrated into the inlay  172 , the edges of the decoration-receiving areas may include a border ridge  115  that is sufficiently deep to hide the inlay  172 . The border ridge  115  is located to obscure viewing of the inlay edge, so it is disposed in a location that allows it to cover the inlay’s raw edge when the inlay is installed. For example, without a border ridge  115 , if the inlay  172  is disposed on the peripheral inner wall  104  or on the recess wall encasing portion  181  covering the peripheral inner wall  104 , the edge of the inlay  172  could be seen at the bottom of the shoe. In one aspect, the inlay  172  is to be disposed on the recess roof encasing portion  188  and the recess wall encasing portion  181  of the encasement  180 , so a border ridge 115B is disposed at the intersection of the underside encasing portion  189  and the recess wall encasing portion  181  to hide the edge of the inlay  172 , as can be seen in  FIG.  21   . In an additional aspect shown in  FIGS.  20 ,  23   , when the inlay  172  is installed, it covers the recess roof encasing portion  188 , which positions the edge of the inlay  172  adjacent to and/or abutting the recess wall  181 ; therefore, no border ridge  115  is needed or included at the junction of recess wall  181  and recess roof encasing portion  188 . But as the inlay  172  extends across the arch and down the inner heel, a border ridge 115B is disposed along the outer edge of the arch encasing portion  185  and inner heel encasing portion  184  to hide the edge of the inlay  172 . In one aspect as seen in  FIG.  23   , the border ridge 115B may run down both sides of the inner heel encasing portion  184  but may have an opening  199  at the end of the inner heel encasing portion  184 , which may provide advantages in assembly. 
     In a further aspect in which no encasement is included, the arch and heel may include a border ridge 115A to obscure viewing of the edge of the substrate  177 , as seen in  FIG.  2 A .  FIGS.  16 - 17    illustrate an aspect of the construction unit  110  with a border ridge 115A, while  FIG.  10    illustrates an aspect of the construction unit  110  without a border ridge 115A. 
       FIG.  31    illustrates a sixth embodiment which provides another example of a partial wall  101 , provides a construction unit  110  with a two-part unit body 111A, 111B, and provides a weight-bearing wall  101  that is slightly to somewhat inset from the periphery of the shoe. 
     Partial weight-bearing walls  101  may be used to meet design or aesthetic considerations with the limitation that they can support the weight of the user. Examples of partial walls  101  have been shown in  FIGS.  11 ,  14 ,  27 , and  28   . In the partial wall  101  of  FIG.  31   , the opposing side walls support the weight of the user while the toe area of the wall has been mostly eliminated. 
     The portion of the unit body that is closer to the shoe upper, the inward unit body portion 111A, will be fixedly attached to the shoe upper below the shoe toe box. The inward unit body portion 111A carries the weight-bearing wall  101 , which may be full (not shown) or partial (as shown). The outward unit body portion 111B is configured with slits  251  defined by slit borders  252  that are sized and shaped to accommodate the weight-bearing wall  101 . The slits  251  are fitted over the wall  101  with the outward unit body portion 111B then fixedly attached over the inward unit body portion 111A with the wall  101  extending through the outward unit body portion 111B at each side of a between-slit area  253  serving as a roof surface  119  when the shoe is complete. Thus, the height of the wall  101  must be a greater height than the height of the outward unit body portion 111B. Optionally, a finishing outsole  259 , encasement, inlay, or the like (configured with outsole slits  258 ) may be attached to provide functional and aesthetic enhancements. In another option, the unit body portion 111B comprises a standard sole configured with slits  251  defined by slit borders  252 . The wall  101  may be solid or configured with openings. 
     The portion of the unit body that is proximal to the shoe upper, the outward unit body portion 111B, may be formed of a rigid material or may be flexible or somewhat flexible. In most shoe designs, the toe front  250  of outward unit body portion 111B will substantially align with the toe front of the shoe upper to provide a smooth, integrated look. 
       FIG.  31    also illustrates that the weight-bearing wall  101  need not be disposed at the outer edge of the shoe, but all or part of it can be inset from the periphery. Though the toe of a shoe is not wide, the wall  101  may still be inset a small distance based on structural and aesthetic considerations. 
       FIG.  32    illustrates a seventh embodiment. In this embodiment, the construction unit  110  is not formed unitarily, but comprises multiple portions. In one aspect the multi-portion construction unit  110  comprises a mid-base  135 , an upper shoe-unit interface  130 , and a lower foundational base  139 . In another aspect the construction unit  110  comprises a mid-base  135  and an upper shoe-unit interface  130  without the lower foundational base  139 . The unit-to-shoe interface  130  is a thin structure that includes an interface foundation  131  and one or more downwardly protruding projections  132  that extend downwardly from the interface foundation  131 . The interface foundation  131  has a bottom surface that conforms substantially to the top of the mid-base  135  and has a top surface that conforms substantially to the portion of the shoe to which it will be attached. The lower foundational base  139  is a thin structure having a top surface that conforms substantially to the mid-base’s bottom surface, having upwardly protruding projections  137 , and having a bottom surface for walking that is generally smooth and flat. 
     The mid-base  135  includes the upraised area  105  of the construction unit  110  of the first embodiment and additionally includes upper receiving holes  133  and lower receiving holes (not shown). The upper receiving holes  133  are sized and configured to receive the downwardly protruding projections  132 , which are to be fixedly attached within the upper receiving holes  133 . The lower receiving holes are sized and configured to receive the upwardly protruding projections  137 , which are to be fixedly attached within the lower receiving holes. The upper receiving holes  133  may be offset from the downward receiving holes, particularly if the offsetting improves structural robustness. 
     The construction unit  110  of the seventh embodiment of  FIG.  32    is utilized similarly to the construction unit  110  of the other embodiments, but it may provide advantages in weight reduction and/or in providing versatility in the use of different materials for different portions of the construction unit. The three elements of the construction unit  110  may be formed from the same or different materials. In one aspect, the construction unit  110  is formed of a plastic resin or composite material, while the shoe-unit interface  130  and the foundational base  139  may be formed of a metal or metal alloy (for example, nickel alloy or titanium). This provides a plastic and metal unit  110  of lighter weight than a construction unit  110  that is formed unitarily of metal or metal alloy. 
     The eighth embodiment of  FIGS.  34 - 39    discloses a construction unit  110  that at least has a weight-bearing wall  101  that is inset from the periphery of the shoe and may optionally, as illustrated, also have a unit body inset from the shoe periphery. 
     In  FIGS.  34 - 39    the unit body  111  and the upper portion of the wall are inset a small distance from the periphery of the shoe upper, in contrast with the fully inset wall  101  of  FIG.  31    in which the entire wall was inset and the unit body was not inset. 
       FIGS.  34 - 39    also disclose a bottom boundary flange  213 . In this aspect, the lower portion of the wall  101  extends outwardly beyond the inset unit body  111  and the inset upper portion of the wall to form the bottom boundary flange  213 . Preferably, the vertical height of the flange  213  is less than the vertical height of the upper portion of the wall  101 . The bottom boundary flange  213  extends outwardly beyond the outer surface of the top portion of the inset wall  101 , may extends outwardly beyond the inset unit body  111  and the inset upper portion of the wall, may extend outwardly to the periphery of the shoe, or may extend beyond the shoe periphery. The outward facing surface  102  of the top portion of the inset wall  101  (and in the aspect shown, the outward facing surface of the unit body  111 ) along with the top surface of the flange  213  together define two sides (bottom and side) of an open decor-receiving channel  211 . Decor-receiving channel  211  accommodates the decorative element  150 . 
       FIG.  35    shows the construction unit  110  of this eighth embodiment in position for attaching to the bottom of the shoe. When the construction unit  110  of the eighth embodiment is incorporated into the shoe, the shoe forms a third side (the top side) of the decor-receiving channel  211 . As can be seen in the bottom view of  FIG.  36   , the back view of  FIG.  37   , the side view of  FIG.  38   , and the front view of  FIG.  39   , a decorative element  150  (shown as a row of pearls or spheres) can be disposed within the disclosed decor-receiving channel  211  to achieve a unique, distinctive look. The row of decorative elements  150  may continue across the arch and down the heel, as illustrated, or may stop at the end of the toe or at other locations, as dictated by design considerations. 
     In the aspect in which the unit body  111  is not inset, but only the top portion of the inset wall  101  is inset, the outward facing surface  102  of the top portion of the inset wall  101  and the top surface of the flange  213  together define two sides (bottom and side) of the open decor-receiving channel  211 . In this aspect, when the construction unit  110  is incorporated into the shoe, the bottom of the unit body  111  forms the top third side (top) of the decor-receiving channel  211 . 
       FIG.  40    discloses a ninth embodiment in which the upraised area  105  within the construction unit is bowl-shaped. In this embodiment, the inner surface of wall  101  is not vertical, but is instead curved inwardly to form a gradually deepening upraised area  105 . The inner surface of wall  101  curves from wall-boundary inner junction  120  to the body inner roof surface  119  to define the bowl-shape. This figure illustrates that the body inner roof surface  119  may be curved, the surface of wall  101  may be curved, the wall-boundary inner junction  120  may be curved or may form a greater than ninety-degree angle, and the roof-wall interface  205  (the location at which the body inner roof surface  119  meets the surface of the inner wall  104 ) may be curved. 
     The construction unit  110  of the embodiments may be formed of natural or manmade materials, such as plastic resins, metals, natural or synthetic wood, or a combination of materials. It may be formed unitarily, or it may be formed in parts that are permanently and non-removably joined together. 
     Since many modifications, variations, and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiments of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.