Patent Publication Number: US-2003233772-A1

Title: Interchangeable shoe coverings

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] 1. Technical Field of the Invention  
       [0002] This invention relates to footwear, and more particularly, to a shoe having interchangeable shoe coverings to alter an exterior portion of a shoe.  
       [0003] 2. Description of Related Art  
       [0004] Footwear serves two purposes for people. First, shoes serve the utilitarian function of protecting a person&#39;s feet. The second purpose of shoes is related to fashion. Shoes are oftentimes used to accentuate or complement other garments worn by a person. However, it is quite common from day to day to change the clothing worn by an individual. With a change of clothing, in order to properly coordinate the dress of an individual, the shoes usually must also match. However, specific colors and styles of shoes do not often match with the clothing worn by the individual. Thus, a person has to own several pairs of shoes.  
       [0005] Unfortunately, owning several pairs of shoes can be extremely costly. Footwear is needed which may allow coordination with several styles and colors of clothing.  
       [0006] Although there are no known prior art teachings of a solution to the aforementioned deficiency and shortcoming such as that disclosed herein, prior art references that discuss subject matter that bears some relation to matters discussed herein are U.S. Pat. No. 4,377,042 to Bauer (Bauer), U.S. Pat. No. 4,887,369 to Bailey et al. (Bailey), U.S. Pat. No. 5,983,528 to Hartung (Hartung), and U.S. Pat. No. 6,349,486 to Lin (Lin).  
       [0007] Bauer discloses an athletic shoe having a removable outsole. Each shoe includes an upper portion designed to fit an individual foot and ankle of a particular wearer. The upper portion includes an insole permanently affixed to the bottom of the upper portion. Each insole terminates along its peripheral margin with one part of a bead-and-recess mechanically detachable locking member. A removable out-sole is provided with a surface contacting tread. A flexible member is permanently connected with the out-sole and terminates along its peripheral margin with the other part of the mechanical locking member. The out-sole and insole are also connected together by mating hook and pile members. However, Bauer does not teach or suggest attaching the upper portion directly to the sole base without an insole. Additionally, Bauer utilizes a complicated and costly fastening system, which diminishes the value of utilizing such footwear.  
       [0008] Bailey discloses a convertible shoe having a shoe bottom with a formed outside portion, a middle shank and a raised heel. In addition, the shoe includes a shoe top having a mid-sole, an insole and an upper vamp portion. The shoe also includes fasteners for removably attaching the shoe top to the shoe bottom. Although Bailey utilizes a shoe having a detachable upper portion, Bailey suffers from the disadvantage of detaching a large portion of the shoe to change the appearance of the shoe, which adds considerably to the cost of the shoe.  
       [0009] Hartung discloses a shoe having a sole and upper portion releasably joined to the sole by a peripheral releasable joining device such as a zipper. The sole has a ridge-like upwardly projecting support member which extends at least partially around the peripheral region of the sole, to form a barrier between the joining device and the interior space of the shoe. However, Hartung merely discloses a fastening device which attaches to the entire peripheral of the sole. Additionally, Hartung suffers from the disadvantage of using complicated support members to attach the upper portion to the sole.  
       [0010] Lin discloses a consumer-modifiable sandal or slipper having a sole with two straps. A plurality of assembly bases are embedded in the sole and serve to hold the strap clips on the straps. The outer edges of the assembly bases are exposed on the surface of the sole. The assembly bases contain insertion holes with upward-facing openings. However, Lin does not disclose a single piece of material detachably affixed to the sole. Lin merely discloses a sandal having interchangeable straps utilizing a complex fastening device.  
       [0011] Thus, it would be a distinct advantage to have a shoe providing a cost-effective and easily replaceable covering to alter the appearance of shoes. It is an object of the present invention to provide such an apparatus.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0012] In one aspect, the present invention is a shoe with an interchangeable top covering. The shoe includes a shoe base having a perimeter and a top covering sized to fit across an upper front portion of a wearer&#39;s foot, forward of an ankle of the wearer. The top covering is detachably affixed to the shoe base. The top covering is affixed in front of the wearer&#39;s ankle. The top covering is exchangeable, allowing the alteration of an appearance of the shoe.  
       [0013] In another aspect, the present invention is a shoe with an interchangeable top covering. The shoe includes a shoe base having a perimeter with a raised outer wall and a top covering sized to fit across an upper front portion of a wearer&#39;s foot. The top covering is positioned forward of an ankle of the wearer. The top covering is fastened to the raised outer wall of the shoe base. The top covering is positioned in front of the wearer&#39;s ankle. The top covering is exchangeable with other top coverings for altering an appearance of the shoe.  
       [0014] In still another aspect, the present invention is a shoe with an interchangeable top covering. The shoe includes a shoe base having a perimeter with a raised outer wall and a plurality of top coverings interchangeable onto the shoe base. Each top covering is sized to fit across an upper front portion of a wearer&#39;s foot. The top covering is positioned forward of an ankle of the wearer and fastened to the raised outer wall of the shoe base. The top covering is positioned in front of the wearer&#39;s ankle. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0015] The invention will be better understood and its numerous objects and advantages will become more apparent to those skilled in the art by reference to the following drawings, in conjunction with the accompanying specification, in which:  
     [0016]FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a shoe base having a interchangeable top covering in the preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0017]FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the shoe base without the top covering of FIG. 1;  
     [0018]FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of a shoe base without a top covering in a first alternate embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0019]FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of a shoe base without a top covering in a second alternate embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0020]FIG. 5 is a top view of a top covering removed from a shoe base of FIG. 2;  
     [0021]FIG. 6 is a top view of a top covering removed from a shoe base of FIG. 4;  
     [0022]FIG. 7 is a top view of a top covering removed from a shoe base in a third alternate embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0023]FIG. 8 is a top view of a top covering removed from a shoe base in a fourth alternate embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0024]FIG. 9 is a top view of a top covering removed from a shoe base of FIG. 3; and  
     [0025]FIG. 10 is a front view of a tote bag for carrying a shoe base or its interchangeable top covering in the preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS  
     [0026] An apparatus for altering the appearance of footwear is disclosed. FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a shoe base  10  having an interchangeable top covering  12  in the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The shoe base  10  includes a heel  14 , a sole  16 , a raised outer wall  18  and a plurality of fastening devices  20 . In FIG. 1, the top covering  12  is affixed to the shoe base at the raised wall. The top covering is affixed with a plurality of fastening devices  20  to a plurality of corresponding receivers (not shown in FIG. 1). Although snaps are depicted, it should be understood that any fastening device allow secure fasting of the top covering to the shoe base may be utilized, such as hook and pile strips, laces, buttons, zippers, or hooks.  
     [0027] The top covering covers the forward portion of the uppermost surface of a wearer&#39;s foot, forward of the wearer&#39;s ankle. Utilization of the material in front of the wearer&#39;s foot, rather than simultaneous covering on a rearward portion of the wearer&#39;s foot would be much costlier, and thus, not a desirable or efficient utilization of material.  
     [0028]FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the shoe base  10  without the top covering  12  of FIG. 1. As depicted in FIG. 2, the raised outer wall  18  includes a plurality of receivers  22  for the fastening devices  20  of the top covering  12 . The receivers correspond with the fastening devices for removably affixing the top covering to the shoe base  10 .  
     [0029]FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of a shoe base  30  without a top covering in a first alternate embodiment of the present invention. The shoe base  30  is shown as a high heeled shoe base having a plurality of eyelets  32 . The eyelets may be located anywhere on the shoe base perimeter, however, preferably are positioned in a front portion of the shoe base, forward of the wearer&#39;s ankle wearing the shoe base. The top covering may be affixed to the shoe base  30  by laces located on the top covering. However, the laces may be affixed to the shoe base  30  and tied to eyelets located on the top covering.  
     [0030]FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of a shoe base  40  without a top covering in a second alternate embodiment of the present invention. The shoe base  40  includes a wedge heel  44 . A top covering may be affixed to the shoe base by a zipper  42 . As depicted, one portion of the zipper is located on the perimeter portion of the shoe base. The top covering may also have a corresponding zipper portion for removable attachment to the shoe base.  
     [0031]FIG. 5 is a top view of a top covering  50  removed from a shoe base. The top covering  50  may include a plurality of snaps  52 . The top covering  50  may be affixed to any shoe base, such as the shoe base  10  (FIG. 2) having the receivers  22 . It should be understood that the snaps may be located on the shoe base, while the receivers are located on the top covering.  
     [0032]FIG. 6 is a top view of a top covering  60  removed from a shoe base. The top covering  60  may include one or more zippers  62  located on an edge of the top covering. The top covering  60  may be affixed to a shoe base, such as the shoe base  40  (FIG. 4). The zipper  62  may then be zipped with a corresponding zipper, such as the zipper  42  of the shoe base  40 .  
     [0033]FIG. 7 is a top view of a top covering  70  removed from a shoe base. The top covering may include pile strips  72  which may be attached to hook strips located on the outer wall  18  of the shoe base. In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the pile strips may be located on the outer wall, while the hook strips are located on the top covering. The hook and pile strips are positioned to allow attachment of the top covering to the shoe base.  
     [0034]FIG. 8 is a top view of a top covering  80  removed from a shoe base. The top covering  80  may include a plurality of hooks  82  affixed to a perimeter of the top covering  80 . The hooks may be fastened to holes/eyelets located on a perimeter of the shoe base (not shown).  
     [0035]FIG. 9 is a top view of a top covering  90  removed from a shoe base. The top covering  90  may include a plurality of eyelets  92  located on an edge of the top covering. A lace or laces (not shown) may be interlaced within the eyelets  92  of the top covering  90  with the eyelets  32  of the shoe base  30  (FIG. 3), thus removably affixing the top covering to the shoe base.  
     [0036]FIG. 10 is a front view of a tote bag  100  for carrying a shoe base or its interchangeable top covering in the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The tote bag may include a main compartment  104  and a side compartment  102 . The side compartment  102  is preferably sized to hold at least one top covering. Additionally, the main compartment may be sized to hold a pair of shoe bases.  
     [0037] With reference to FIGS.  1 - 10 , the operation of the interchangeable top coverings for use on a plurality of shoe bases will now be explained. The top coverings are sized and shaped to fit across a front, top portion of the wearer&#39;s foot. Each top covering may be stylized with various colors, designs, shapes, or any other ornamental features to distinguish the outer appearance of the shoe. As depicted, any size heel of shoe base may be utilized with the top covering. As desired by the wearer, the top coverings are interchanged to alter the exterior appearance of the shoe. The top covering may be removably affixed in any fashion, such as snaps, laces, hook and pile strips, or zippers. Preferably, the top covering is fastened on an outer perimeter of the shoe sole  16 , at the raised outer wall  18 . When a different exterior appearance is desired, the wearer removes one top covering and replaces it with another desired top covering. Preferably, the wearer has a plurality of top coverings to change as required. The top covering is positioned on the front portion of the shoe base, enabling the top covering to wrap across a top, front portion of the wearer, in front of the wearer&#39;s ankle.  
     [0038] It should be understood that any fastening device may be utilized which enables a wearer to removably affix the top covering to the shoe base. The top covering may be any size or color which fits with its corresponding shoe base. The top coverings may be sized for various sizes and shapes of feet. In addition, the top covering may be utilized on a wide variety of shoes.  
     [0039] The disclosed invention enables a wearer to easily change the appearance of her shoes, without the expense of purchasing additional shoes. The disclosed invention provides a simple, cost-effective method of changing the appearance of the shoe, while still providing protection for the wearer&#39;s feet.  
     [0040] It is thus believed that the operation and construction of the present invention will be apparent from the foregoing description. While the apparatus shown and described has been characterized as being preferred, it will be readily apparent that various changes and modifications could be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.