Patent Publication Number: US-7210251-B1

Title: Shoe with interchangeable covers

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to footwear, more particularly to a woman&#39;s shoe with interchangeable covers. The shoe with interchangeable covers has particular utility in connection with providing an easy and affordable way to accessorize a single pair of women&#39;s shoes to match multiple outfits. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Fashion dictates that a woman&#39;s outfit coordinates with her handbag and shoes. Owning a sufficient number of shoes to complete a matching ensemble for each outfit in her wardrobe is extremely costly for most women. Additionally, since shoe fashions rapidly change, there is an ever present need to update the shoe wardrobe to complement the clothing wardrobe. Shoes with interchangeable covers are desirable for allowing a single pair of shoes to be modified with various styles and colors so that they match multiple outfits. This would save the owner a tremendous a mount of money over the years, especially if new covers matching the latest fashions were manufactured to fit the same base pair of shoes. 
     In addition to being costly, an updated shoe wardrobe can be hard to transport if one is traveling on business or vacation. In order to dress fashionably, women tend to travel with a different pair of shoes for each outfit that has been packed. Not only could shoes with interchangeable covers save the owner vast amounts of money, but they could also eliminate the need to pack and transport multiple pairs of shoes during travel. 
     The use of shoe covers is known in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,778,564 to Mark Kettner discloses an athletic or sport shoe having a removable cover for the upper that is removably secured to the unfinished shoe upper by hook and loop fastener strips on the lower parts of the cover and shoe upper adjacent to the line where the upper joins the sole of the shoe. However, since the Kettner &#39;564 patent focuses on athletic shoes, it does not make any provision for covering the heel of a woman&#39;s high-heeled shoe. Additionally, the Kettner &#39;564 patent would not be suitable for most women&#39;s dress shoes since it provides for a tongue and eyelets found in lace-up style shoes. Furthermore, since the Kettner &#39;564 patent proposes covering the original shoe upper with a second layer, the user&#39;s feet would heat up quickly and possibly be uncomfortable while pursuing athletic endeavors. Finally, the cover of the Kettner &#39;564 patent is only secured around the edges of the shoe; in athletic endeavors, this could easily be knocked loose, and the cover would disengage from the upper of the shoe. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,850,122 to Robert L. Schwab, Jr. discloses a shoe cover, probably made of a stretch fabric, comprising a pouch with two lobes, one for covering the outside of the shoe and one for covering the inside of the shoe. The pouch is closed with the exception of an opening at the area of the heel of the shoe into which the toe of the shoe is inserted for proper fitment of the cover. However, the cover of the Schwab, Jr. &#39;122 patent would not effectively cover the heel portion of a ladies high-heeled shoe, leaving it a different color than the remainder of the shoe. An additional deficiency is that the Schwab, Jr. &#39;122 patent proposes using a stretchable material to implement the shoe cover. Stretchable material would not make a suitable cover because it would tear more easily and be less durable than typical shoe covering material. Furthermore, should dress material be used to make matching shoe covers, it could be difficult, if not impossible, to clean if spotted or soiled. Lastly, since the Schwab, Jr. &#39;122 patent discloses a shoe cover to be placed over an existing shoe, the wearer&#39;s foot could become overheated from the dual covering. 
     Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 3,270,442 to Jack S. Liebmann and Ralph Memole discloses a decorative cover for women&#39;s high-heeled pumps comprising a shoe upper member secured to a soft leather sole, the whole of which is secured to the shoe along the inner edges adjacent to the foot. A hollow cup with an opening at the bottom would be fitted over the heel for matching purposes. However, the Liebmann, et al. &#39;442 patent is designed to fit only pumps having an eggshell throat and a long, slender heel. These types of pumps are not always fashionable, thus the Liebmann, et al. &#39;442 device would not always be useful. Additionally, depending on the type of adhesive used to secure the Liebmann, et al. &#39;442 device, the original shoe material could be ruined. Finally, the Liebmann, et al. &#39;442 patent proposes a cover to fit over an existing shoe, which could cause a higher degree of heat for the wearer&#39;s feet. 
     Likewise, U.S. Pat. No. 2,013,700 to Rosilda C. Savale discloses a dress shoe cover that consists of an upper open at the top and bottom, an elastic member about the open bottom of the upper and so formed as to fit a shoe above the sole, and means of passing the elastic member between the sole and shrank of the shoe for securement. However, the Savale &#39;700 patent does not cover the heel of the shoe, leaving it a different color than the remainder of the shoe. Furthermore, the securement of the shoe cover in the Savale &#39;700 patent is not sufficient, making it possible that the cover might slide at the toe or heel section and reveal the old shoe beneath. If the Savale &#39;700 device is constructed from dress type material, it would not be durable, leaving it vulnerable to wear and tear due to everyday wear and the elements. Finally, the Savale &#39;700 patent discloses a covering for a shoe, which would place two layers on the wearer&#39;s feet and could cause discomfort from a buildup of heat. 
     Lastly, U.S. Pat. No. Des. 322,152 to Stephen G. Irons discloses the ornamental design for a shoe protector that is placed on the front of the shoe and covers the toe and tongue area of the shoe. However, the Irons &#39;152 patent protects only the front portion of the shoe, causing an uneven wear pattern between the front and rear portions of the shoe. Additionally, the Irons &#39;152 device would not be useful for accessorizing an outfit, changing only the color of the front portion of the shoe while leaving the rear portion the original color. Finally, it is not obvious how the Irons &#39;152 device would be secured to the shoe, but the securement means indicated seems insufficient since the shoe protector could slip off the shoe during the course of normal usage. 
     While the above-described devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not describe a shoe with interchangeable covers that allows the wearer to easily and comfortably update a single pair of shoes to coordinate with multiple outfits. The Kettner &#39;564 device would not be suitable for most women&#39;s dress shoes since it provides for a tongue and eyelets found in lace-up style shoes, and the Irons &#39;152 patent would not be useful for accessorizing an outfit, changing only the color of the front portion of the shoe while leaving the rear portion the original color. Moreover, the covers proposed by the Kettner &#39;564, Schwab, Jr. &#39;122, Savale &#39;700, and Irons &#39;152 patents do not sufficiently cover the heel of the shoe, leaving it a different color than the remainder of the shoe. While the Liebmann, et al. &#39;442 device does cover the heel of the shoe, it is designed to fit only pumps having an eggshell throat and a long, slender heel. These types of pumps are not always fashionable, thus the Liebmann, et al. &#39;442 device would not always be useful. The Kettner &#39;564, Liebmann, et al. &#39;442, Savale &#39;700, and Irons &#39;152 patents all have securement deficiencies. The Kettner &#39;564, Savale &#39;700, and Irons &#39;152 devices could all come loose from the shoe they are covering during the course of normal usage, and the type of adhesive used to secure the Liebmann, et al. &#39;442 device might ruin the original shoe material. Furthermore, the Schwab, Jr. &#39;122 and Savale &#39;700 patents propose using fabric type material for shoe covers, which would be less durable than typical shoe covering material, tearing more easily, wearing more quickly, and posing cleaning difficulties. Finally, the Kettner &#39;564, Schwab, Jr. &#39;122, Liebmann, et al. &#39;442, and Savale &#39;700 patents all propose a cover to fit over an existing shoe, which could cause foot discomfort from a buildup of heat. 
     Therefore, a need exists for a new and improved shoe with interchangeable covers that can be used for easily and comfortably updating a single pair of shoes to coordinate with multiple outfits. In this regard, the present invention substantially fulfills this need. In this respect, the shoe with interchangeable covers according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of allowing the wearer to easily and comfortably update a single pair of shoes to coordinate with a variety of outfits, eliminating the need to transport multiple pairs of shoes while traveling. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of shoe covers now present in the prior art, the present invention provides an improved shoe with interchangeable covers, and overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and drawbacks of the prior art. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new and improved shoe with interchangeable covers which has all the advantages of the prior art mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a shoe with interchangeable covers which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by the prior art, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
     To attain this, the present invention essentially comprises a modified pair of women&#39;s shoes consisting of a base, a sole with a removable heel, and a cover which is attached to the base and the sole with two sets of straps joining under the sole and fastened together with hook and loop type fasteners. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. 
     The invention may also include a layer of padding added to the base for additional comfort. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims attached. 
     Numerous objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description of presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiments of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In this respect, before explaining the current embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of descriptions and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved shoe with interchangeable covers that has all of the advantages of the prior art shoe covers and none of the disadvantages. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved shoe with interchangeable covers that may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed. 
     An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved shoe with interchangeable covers that has a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such a shoe with interchangeable covers economically available to the buying public. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new shoe with interchangeable covers that provides in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith. 
     Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a shoe with interchangeable covers for allowing the wearer to easily and quickly change the outer appearance of the shoe cover. This allows the wearer to have one pair of shoes that matches a multitude of outfits, saving the wearer the expense and hassle of buying and traveling with numerous pairs of shoes. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a shoe with interchangeable covers that provides a single layer of covering for the foot. This allows the wearer to change the shoe cover without adding an additional layer of shoe material to the foot, thereby avoiding a buildup of heat in the foot area and avoiding foot discomfort. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a padded shoe with interchangeable covers. This provides additional comfort to the wearer, especially if the shoes are worn for an extended period of time. 
     Even yet another object of the present invention is to provide a shoe with interchangeable covers that has a removable heel. This not only allows the wearer to modify the style of the shoe by varying the height and width of the heel, but also extends the life of the shoe by ensuring that the heel of the shoe can be replaced when it is worn. 
     Lastly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved shoe with interchangeable covers that provides numerous styles of covers for the shoe. This allows the wearer to create any fashion style from dressy and elegant to sporty and casual. 
     These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty that characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a side perspective view of the separated parts of the preferred embodiment of the shoe with interchangeable covers constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a bottom view of the shoe with interchangeable covers of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a side sectional view of the shoe with interchangeable covers of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of various covers for the shoe with interchangeable covers of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of various covers for the shoe with interchangeable covers of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a top view of various covers for the shoe with interchangeable covers of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the various figures. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to  FIGS. 1-6 , a preferred embodiment of the shoe with interchangeable covers of the present invention is shown and generally designated by the reference numeral  10 . 
     In  FIG. 1 , a new and improved shoe with interchangeable covers  10  of the present invention for easily and comfortably updating a single pair of shoes to coordinate with multiple outfits is illustrated and will be described. More particularly, the shoe with interchangeable covers  10  has a base  12  mounted on a modified shoe sole  14 . The base  12  would be constructed of leather, while the sole  14  could be made similar to standard soles with the inclusion of a pair of notches  16  on the bottom. The base  14  would rise up slightly on each side and would be covered on the sides by an interchangeable cover  18 . This interchangeable cover  18  would be secured to the base  14  by two pairs of straps  20  pulled around the notches  16  and connected beneath the sole  14 . One pair of straps  20  would be located toward the toe area  22  of the cover  18 , with a strap  20  on each side of the cover  18 , and the other pair of straps  20  would be located in the arch area  24  of the cover  18 . Each set of straps  20  would be affixed to the sole by pulling the strap from each side of the cover  18  around and under the sole  14 , where they would be attached with hook and loop type fasteners  26 , such as Velcro®. This particular cover  18  features a zipper  28  running down the front of the cover  18  to the toe area  22 . A removable and interchangeable heel  30  can also be screwed onto the bottom of the sole  14 . The heel  30  could be produced in various heights and widths. 
       FIG. 2  shows a bottom view of the shoe with interchangeable covers  10 . This view shows the threaded aperture  32  centered in the heel area  34  of the sole  14  into which the removable heel  30  would be inserted. The shoe  10  could, of course, be worn with no heel  30 , if desired. The pairs of straps  20  can be seen to be connected along the notches  16  on the bottom of the sole  14 . The strap  20  from each side of the cover  18  would reach slightly more than half the width of the sole  14  to attach to the corresponding strap  20  from the other side of the cover  18 . 
       FIG. 3  shows a side sectional view of the shoe with interchangeable covers  10 . This view details the layer of padding  36  that exists between the base  12  and the sole  14  of the shoe  10 . This padding  36  would be similar to standard padding that is inserted into shoes for added comfort and would cover the top surface of the sole  14 . The base  12  would enclose the padding  36  so that it was not externally visible. The notch  16  in the arch area  24  of the sole  14  is also portrayed in greater detail. In can be seen that the pair of straps  20  will overlap when properly secured, with one portion of the fastener  26  on the internal side the first strap  20  and the other portion of the fastener  26  on the external side of the second strap  20 . 
       FIGS. 4 ,  5 , and  6  show a total of ten designs for the interchangeable cover  18  for the shoe  10 . The first cover  38  is a clog style shoe with an open back and features a plurality of decorative straps  40  across the top front portion  42  and around the open heel area  44  of the cover  18 . Each of the decorative straps  40  would be adorned with a metal buckle  46 . The second cover  48  is a closed heel shoe with a plurality of hooks  50  located in pairs on the right and left edges,  52  and  54 , of the front portion  42  of the shoe, with one hook  50  from each pair on the right edge  52  and one hook  50  from each pair on the left edge  54 . The middle of a cord  56  is wrapped around the foremost pair of hooks  50  and the ends are then crossed before wrapping them around the next adjacent pair of hooks  50 . This pattern continues until the cord  56  is wrapped around each pair of hooks  50 . The heel area  44  of the shoe is formed with a lacy design of braided decorative straps  40 . The third cover  58  is another clog style shoe with an open back and features a tongue  60  at the top center of the cover  18 . The tongue  60  extends rearward beyond the main portion of the cover  18 , which has a concave curvature, and is joined to the side of the cover  18  by a thin decorative strap  40 . A plurality of decorative straps  40  adorned with buckles  46  curves around the open heel area  44 , and a bow  62  is attached toward the bottom of the heel area  44 . The fourth cover  64  is a clog style shoe with an open back and features a single decorative strap  40  across the top of the toe area  22  of the shoe. Attached to the center of the strap  40  is a penny  66 . The heel area  44  of the shoe is formed with a plurality of decorative straps  40  adorned with buckles  46  curving from the right edge  52  to the left edge  54  of the cover  18 . In addition, the tongue  60  feature mentioned in the third cover  58  is also present in this model; however, there is no slender strap  40  connecting it to the sides of the cover  18 . The fifth cover  68  is a clog style shoe with an open back and features a decorative strap  40  running along the top center of the shoe crossed by a second strap  40  running perpendicular to the first strap  40  and across the width of the shoe. The heel area  44  of the shoe is once again formed with a plurality of decorative straps  40  adorned with buckles  46  curving from the right edge  52  to the left edge  54  of the cover  18 . The sixth cover  70  is a closed back shoe featuring a zipper  28  running along the top center of the cover  18  and a second zipper  28  running down the length of the back center. The seventh cover  72  is an open back clog with a plurality of buttons  74  running down the front on a line slightly off center toward the left edge  54 . The buttons  74  are arranged in pairs with a decorative strip  76  between them. A plurality of decorative straps  40  adorned with buckles  46  forms the heel area  44  of the cover  18 . The eighth cover  78  is an open back clog featuring a large bow  62  attached on the top center of the cover  18 . Once again the heel area  44  is formed with decorative straps  40  adorned with buckles  46  curving from the right edge  52  to the left edge  54  of the cover  18 . The ninth cover  80  is an open back clog style shoe with a plurality of colored strips  76  placed in V-shapes on the top of the cover  18 . The foremost of these is a blue strip  82  which joins with a band made of a red, pink, and orange strip,  84 ,  86 , and  88 , to form a large V with the point on the right edge  52  of the cover  18 . A smaller v, pointed in the opposite direction, is formed from a yellow strip  90  joined to a green strip  92 . The heel area  44  is defined by buckle  46  adorned straps  40  curving from the right edge  52  to the left edge  54  of the cover  18 . The tenth cover  94  is an open back style with a plurality of curved patches joined together to form the front portion  42  of the cover  18 . The front toe area  22  is covered by a black patch  96 , which is followed by a yellow patch  98 , a blue patch  100 , an orange patch  102 , a green patch  104 , a pink patch  106 , and a second black patch  94 . A single decorative strap  40  with a metal buckle  46  passes over the top of the wearer&#39;s foot. The heel area  44  of the cover  18  is formed of straps  40  adorned with rainbow buckles  46 . 
     The concept of the shoe with interchangeable covers is a modified pair of women&#39;s shoes with the major modification involving the versatility of the shoe to convert to various styles by interchanging different types and colors of coverings for the shoe body. This feature would enable the individual to have numerous pairs of shoes for the price of one. While the shoe with interchangeable covers could be worn by various women, it might be of particular appeal to working women as well as female travelers. 
     The shoe with interchangeable covers would consist of a leather shoe containing a heel which could be produced in various heights and widths. Accompanying the shoe would be various coverings which could transform the appearance of the foot covering. A wide range of designs and colors would be available and would help make this product fashionable and trendy. The various coverings would be held in place by straps containing hook and loop style fasteners which would rest beneath the sole of the shoe. The wearer could easily and quickly change shoe styles by disengaging the hook and loop fasteners, removing the cover, and replacing it with another cover that is secured by fastening the straps together. 
     The ability to quickly and easily alter the style of the shoe would make the foot coverings more versatile as they could coordinate with a multitude of ensembles. The consumer would save money by getting more out of one pair of shoes. The multiple designs for various covers run the gamut from casual and sporty to dressy and elegant. Furthermore, this foot covering would save valuable space within a suitcase while traveling. Its design could eliminate the need to transport a separate suitcase solely for transporting numerous pairs of shoes. 
     While a preferred embodiment of the shoe with interchangeable covers has been described in detail, it should be apparent that modifications and variations thereto are possible, all of which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. For example, any suitable material such as leather, suede, canvas, or other typical shoe materials can be used to make the shoe cover. Also, the sole and base of the shoe can be made of leather, rubber, wood, or other suitable materials. Furthermore, a wide variety of adornments, such as rhinestones, ribbons, and feathers to name a few, could be added to the shoe covers beyond the decorative items discussed above. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.