Patent Publication Number: US-2016242493-A1

Title: Shoes with interchangeable and inter-zippable tops

Description:
RELATED FILINGS 
     This invention has been previously disclosed in Disclosure Document Number 536219 dated Aug. 11, 2003, and this application is a Continuation-In-Part of, and claims the benefit of priority to, U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 10/922,366, entitled “Shoes with interchangeable and inter-zippable tops”, filed on Aug. 20, 2004, and currently co-pending, which in turn claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Applications 60/497,052 filed Aug. 22, 2003, and currently expired, 60/499,647 filed Sep. 3, 2003, and currently expired, and 60/529,952 filed Dec. 16, 2003, and currently expired, with each application fully incorporated herein by this reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to footwear, and more specifically, to shoes having interchangeable parts. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Shoes have evolved over the years from simple moccasins to more elaborate and sophisticated sneakers and athletic shoes. Despite these marvelous advancements in the footwear industry, there is nevertheless a challenge which exists with all footwear. Specifically, a shoe, once created, is unchangeable and therefore, presents a limitation to the wardrobe because the colors, styles and materials of the shoes as manufactured are fixed. 
     In light of the above, it would be advantageous to provide footwear that can be changed according to the wearer&#39;s desired style and wardrobe requirements, such as color and shape. 
     The invention is a shoe with reversible and moveable tops. There are snaps all around the base of the shoe in order for the top half of the shoe to be changed. Tops are made of various materials and different styles. There can be full-covered footwear, sandal-type or any type of strapped shoe for women or men. 
     The footwear of the present invention provides for a wardrobe solution in that the tops of the shoes may be modified as desired in order to change the appearance and structure of the footwear. In a preferred embodiment, the upper portion, or top, of the footwear can be removed and interchanged with another top to provide a different appearance. 
     Additional embodiments of the present invention include tops with no laces, one or more elastic bands spanning the top to hold the shoe on a wearer&#39;s foot, reversible pull zippers, multi-colored zippers, and designs having a high or low top, a high or low heel, and a high or low sole. Other embodiments allow multiple tops to be stacked upon one another to create a custom boot. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       The novel features of this invention, as well as the invention itself, both as to its structure and its operation, will be best understood from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of the shoe of the present invention showing a shoe sole having a heel and equipped with an array of fasteners attached to the side of the sole, and having an interchangeable top attached to the fasteners to form the top of the shoe; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the shoe of the present invention shown in  FIG. 1  with one side of the top detached from the sole illustrating the removable nature of the top; 
         FIG. 3  is a top plan view of a top for use in conjunction with the sole shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , and having an array of fasteners for positioning over corresponding fasteners on the sole and showing an image or ornamental feature (in dashed lines), and possibly having a different shape (also shown in dashed lines); 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the shoe of the present invention having fasteners positioned around the most of the perimeter of the sole; 
         FIG. 5  is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of a top of the present invention having a different outer contour and shape; 
         FIG. 6  is an alternative embodiment of the shoe of the present invention having a front cover and a back portion both attached to the fasteners of the sole; 
         FIG. 7-11 , each containing images A-D, are all examples of tops of the shoe of the present invention and are intended to show the virtually unlimited number of tops which can be interchanged on the shoe of the present invention; 
         FIG. 12  is an alternative embodiment of the shoe of the present invention having a substantially flat sole; 
         FIG. 13  is an alternative embodiment of the shoe of the present invention showing a sole equipped with a pair of zippers to receive corresponding zippers on the top; 
         FIG. 14  is a view of the alternative embodiment shown in  FIG. 13 , with one zipper of the top undone showing the detachable nature of top and shoe; 
         FIG. 15  is a plan view of a top of the present invention showing the zippers on the sides of the top and with a portion of the top shown turned over to demonstrate the dual-sided tops which provide for a different aesthetic appearance of the shoe of the present invention by unzipping the top, turning it over, and re-attaching it to the sole of the shoe of the present invention; 
         FIG. 16  is an alternative embodiment of the present invention showing a full-cover upper having a perimeter zipper extending around the entire shoe sole to provide for the removal of the upper from the sole, and reversal and reattachment of the same upper, or replacement with another upper; 
         FIG. 17  is an exploded view of the alternative embodiment shown in  FIG. 16 , with dashed lines showing the direction of attachment and the zipper separated into two portions; 
         FIG. 18  is perspective view of the upper of the alternative embodiment of  FIGS. 16 and 17 , showing the inside surface of the upper having a different appearance than the outside surface of the upper; 
         FIG. 19  is another alternative embodiment of the present invention showing a sneaker-type sole having a fully removable and reversible upper attached to the sole with a perimeter zipper; 
         FIG. 20  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention showing a customizable boot having a sole, an upper, and a leg extension; 
         FIG. 21  is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of the present invention showing a customizable boot having a sole, an upper, a middle extension, and a leg extension; 
         FIG. 22  is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of the present invention showing yet another alternative embodiment of the present invention showing a customizable boot having a sole, an upper, an middle extension, and a leg extension where the middle extension and the leg extension further comprise laces and vertical zippers; and 
         FIG. 23  is an exploded perspective view of the present invention showing the combination of elements from the several embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a side view of the shoe of the present invention showing a shoe sole having a heel is shown and generally designated  100 . Shoe  100  includes a sole  102  with a heel portion  104 , a toe portion  106 , and a heel  108 . An interchangeable top  109  has sides  111  formed with eyelets  110  sized to receive a fastener  112 , such as a snap or stud, or button. The sole  102  is equipped with an array of fasteners  112  spaced along the side of the sole  102 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the shoe  100  of  FIG. 1  is shown with one side  111  of the top  109  detached from the sole  102  illustrating the removable nature of the top. The top is formed with a number of eyelets  110 . It is to be appreciated that eyelets  110  and fasteners  112  are merely exemplary of a preferred embodiment, and that any fastener known in the art is fully contemplated herein, including but not limited to Velcro, snaps, buttons, hooks, etc. 
       FIG. 3  is a top plan view of a shoe top  150  of the present invention for use in conjunction with sole  102  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Top  150  is formed with an array of fasteners  110  for positioning over corresponding fasteners  112  on the sole  102 . Top  150  may include an artistic element, image, or ornamental feature  158  (shown in dashed lines), and possibly the edges  154  and  156  may be formed to have a different shape with contoured edges  154 ′ and  156 ′ (also shown in dashed lines), 
       FIG. 4  is a side view of a modified embodiment of the shoe  100  of the present invention having fasteners  114  added to fasteners  112  that are positioned around the most of the perimeter of the sole  102 . 
       FIG. 5  is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of a top of the present invention generally designated  200  having a body  202  having a different outer contour and shape  206 , and formed with a number of eyelets  204 , corresponding to fasteners attached to the sole of a shoe of the present invention. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , an alternative embodiment of the shoe of the present invention is shown and generally designated  220 . Shoe  220  includes a sole  222  having a heel portion  224  and a toe portion  226  with an array of fasteners  228  attached to the sides of the sole  222 . A heel  230  extends downward from sole  222 , but it is to be appreciated that shoe  220  may have a taller heel, a shorter heel, or no heel without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Also, shoe  220  is shown having a front cover  232  over at least a portion of toe portion  226 , and a back cover  234  around at least a portion of heel portion  224 , with covers  232  and  234  both attached to the fasteners of the sole. 
       FIG. 7-11 , each containing images A-D, are all examples of tops of the shoe of the present invention and are intended to show the virtually unlimited number of tops which can be interchanged on the shoe of the present invention. A brief summary of  each of the designs is presented below, but is to be understood as merely exemplary and not limiting. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
             
               
                   
               
               
                 FIG. 
                 Brief Description 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 7A 
                 A shoe having a twin strap in the form of an 
               
               
                   
                 “X” across the toe portion of the shoe 
               
               
                 7B 
                 A shoe having a single, wide strap across the toe portion 
               
               
                 7C 
                 A shoe having a dual strap parallel across 
               
               
                   
                 the toe portion of the shoe 
               
               
                 7D 
                 A shoe having a string laced across the front portion of the shoe 
               
               
                 8A 
                 A shoe having a cover over part of the front portion of the shoe 
               
               
                 8B 
                 A shoe having a combination of a strap and 
               
               
                   
                 a tie string over the foot 
               
               
                 8C 
                 A shoe having a cover formed with cut-out portions over the foot 
               
               
                 8D 
                 A shoe having a cover over the toe portion of the shoe, 
               
               
                   
                 and a back support piece to provide heel support at 
               
               
                   
                 the heel portion of the shoe 
               
               
                 9A 
                 A shoe having a narrow strap with an ornamental center buckle 
               
               
                 9B 
                 A shoe having a cover over the front of the 
               
               
                   
                 foot with cut-out portions 
               
               
                 9C 
                 A shoe having two straps in an “X” pattern over the front 
               
               
                   
                 of the shoe and a strap attached to the heel portion and wrapping 
               
               
                   
                 around the ankle for attachment to fasteners on the sole 
               
               
                 9D 
                 A shoe having a cover formed with larger 
               
               
                   
                 cut-out panels on the foot portion of the shoe 
               
               
                 10A  
                 A shoe having a cover formed put of mesh material 
               
               
                 10B  
                 A shoe having a cover resembling a traditional 
               
               
                   
                 sneaker or tennis shoe with an entirely enclosed 
               
               
                   
                 foot cover having a tongue and laces 
               
               
                 10C  
                 A shoe having a chain cover 
               
               
                 10D  
                 A shoe having a cover with a leopard, or other design or pattern 
               
               
                 11A  
                 A shoe having a cover with a zebra stripe pattern 
               
               
                 11B  
                 A shoe having a child-oriented pattern, such as balloons 
               
               
                 11C  
                 A shoe having an abstract pattern consisting of shapes 
               
               
                 11D  
                 A shoe having thin straps which loop over the fasteners 
               
               
                   
                 and which may be made of an elastic material 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
       FIG. 12  is an alternative embodiment of the shoe of the present invention that is generally designated  280 . Shoe  280  includes a substantially flat sole  282  and a top  284 . Fasteners  286  extend from sole  282 , and receive eyelet or button hole  288 . In this embodiment, eyelet  288  is oriented in an up/down direction, as compared to the side-to-side direction of shoe  100 . 
     Materials for use in the present invention are virtually limitless, and include all materials known in the art as applied to shoes. These materials may include, but are not limited to, leather, canvas, rubber, plastic, vinyl, cotton, nylon, or the like. Tops can be made from similar materials, as well as traditional metals such as chrome, brass, and stainless steel, for example. 
     Alternative Embodiments 
     Referring now to  FIG. 13 , an alternative embodiment of the shoe of the present invention showing a shoe sole having a heel is shown and generally designated  300 . Shoe  300  has a sole  302  having a heel portion  304  and a toe portion  306 , and may be formed with a raised heel  308 . A detachable and interchangeable top  310  is attached to sole  302 . More specifically, a fixed zipper portion  312  is firmly attached to the sole  302 , and is designed to receive a zipper  314  for attaching a removable zipper portion  316  of top  310 .  FIG. 13  depicts the shoe  300  of the present invention with a top  310  firmly attached to the sole  302 , and ready for use. 
     By moving zipper  314  in direction  317 , the top  310  may be removed from the sole  302 . For instance, referring now to  FIG. 14 , top  310  is shown partially detached from sole  302  as zipper  314  was moved in direction  317  such that removable zipper portion  316  is detached, or “unzipped” from fixed zipper portion  312 . Conversely, top  310  may be reattached to sole  302  by placing removable zipper portion  316  adjacent fixed zipper portion  314 , and urging zipper  314  in direction  318 , 
     It is to be appreciated from  FIGS. 13 and 14 , that top  310  may be completely detached from sole  302 . In fact, shoe  300  of the present invention may be equipped with several, interchangeable tops  310 , which can be easily and simply detached, or “unzipped” from sole  302 , and changed in a matter of seconds to provide a shoe having a different fashion and aesthetic appearance. 
     Referring to  FIG. 15 , a top  310  of the present invention is shown having a left and right removable zipper portion  316 . In a preferred embodiment, a first panel  320  of top  310  may be of a first material, and a second panel  322  (shown turned over in dashed lines) may be formed of a second material. First material and second material may be similar materials, such as with different colors, or different materials altogether, such as cloth and leather. The top  310  of the present invention is both interchangeable (changing one top  310  for another top  310 ), as well as reversible so that a single top  310  may provide two different styles, colors, textures, or imprints, 
     Upper edge  324  and lower edge  326  can be contoured to provide a distinct visual appearance, and may have shapes consistent with the other embodiments of the present invention disclosed herein. Also, panels  320  and/or  322  may be produced with a design, such as heart-shaped embroidery  328  (shown in dashed lines). 
     While several different embodiments of the shoe of the present invention have been shown herein, it is to be appreciated that these embodiments are not exclusive. Rather, the present embodiments are exemplary of the preferred embodiments, and that other embodiments of the present invention may be constructed by mixing and combining various aspects of the presently preferred embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 16 , an alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown and generally designated  400 . Shoe  400  includes a sole  402  having a heel  404  and equipped with a full-cover upper  406  having a perimeter zipper  408  extending around the entire shoe sole  402  to provide for the removal of the upper  408  from the sole  402 . Upper  408  may be removed from sole  402  by advancing zipper  410  in direction  412  around the entire sole  402 . Once removed, the upper  406  may be reversed and reattached to sole  402 . Alternatively, instead of using the same upper  406 , a separate upper (not shown) may be attached to sole  402  to provide an alternative visual effect, or a different style of upper. 
     With reference to  FIG. 17 , the shoe  400  of  FIG. 16  is shown in an exploded view, with dashed lines  416  showing the direction of attachment of the upper  406  from sole  402 , and the zipper  408  separated into two portions  408 A and  408 B. 
     In a preferred embodiment, upper  406  may be made from any materials known in the art, including but not limited to denim, canvas, leather, and terry cloth. From  FIG. 18 , a perspective view of the upper  406  of the alternative embodiment of  FIGS. 16 and 17 , shows the inside surface  420  of the upper  406  having a different appearance, color, texture, and/or material than the outside surface  418  of the upper  406 . This provides for the detachment of the upper  406  from sole  402  and reversal of the upper  406  such that outside surface  418  becomes inside surface  420  thereby exposing inside surface  418 . Once reversed, the upper  406  may be re-attached to sole  402  with zipper  408  by placing zipper portion  408 A adjacent zipper portion  408 B and advancing zipper  410  around the sole  402 . 
     Laces  414  may be positioned on the upper  406  such that the shoe  400  may be tied upon the wearers foot simply by reversing the position of the bow. This provides for a fully reversible upper. Alternatively, instead of laces, a strap of elastic material known in the art may be used to maintain the upper  406  securely on the wearers foot. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 19 , another alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown and generally designated  450 . Shoe  450  is a sneaker-type shoe having a sole  451  with a slight sneaker-type heel  452  integrally molded into the sole  451 . Shoe  450  includes a fully removable and reversible upper  454  attached to the sole  451  with a perimeter zipper  456  with a grip  458 . Detaching the upper  454  from sole  451  is achieved by advancing grip  458  in direction  460  around sole  451 . As with shoe  400 , upper  454  may be fully reversed, or replaced, to provide a shoe  450  having a varying appearance and look. A clog-style shoe for the present invention may be created using a wooden sole. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 20 , an alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown and generally designated  500 . Shoe  500  consists of a sole  502  having a first zipper portion  504   a  permanently attached to perimeter of the sole  502 , and an upper having the second zipper portion  504   b  attached to lower perimeter of the upper and a first zipper portion  508   a  attached to the upper perimeter of the upper. Shoe  500  further comprises a leg extension  510  having a second zipper portion  508   b  attached to the leg extension&#39;s  510  lower perimeter. In use, sole  502  mates with upper  506  by zipping together zipper portions  504   a  and  504   b  using zipper slider  505 . Zipper  504  is a reversible zipper such that zipper portions  504   a  and  504   b  may first be mated at either end using zipper slider  505  then joined by sliding zipper slider  505  along the length of zipper  504 . Upper  506  is reversible such that a wearer may separate upper  506  from sole  502 , reverse upper  506  such that the upper&#39;s interior  507  (not shown, see  FIG. 23 ) becomes a new exterior for upper  506  and the original exterior of upper  506  becomes the new interior  507 . The reversible nature of zipper  504  and zipper slider  505  allows upper  506  to mate with sole  502  regardless of the surface of upper  506  used for the exterior. It is to be appreciated by one skilled in the art that sole  502  may be of varying thicknesses as well as upper  506  may extend up the wearer&#39;s leg to different points on the wearer&#39;s leg. For example, upper  506  may be designed to fully cover the wearer&#39;s ankle where different design may have upper  506  extend up to just below the wearer&#39;s ankle. 
     Also shown in  FIG. 20  is leg extension  510  attached to upper  506  using zipper  508 , which consists of zipper portion  508   a  located on the top perimeter of upper  506  and zipper portion  508   b  located on the bottom perimeter of leg shaft  510 . Similar to zipper  504 , zipper  508  is reversible thereby allowing leg shaft  510  to be turned inside out, such that interior  511  becomes a new exterior for leg shaft  510 , and still capable of being attached to upper  506  by using zipper  508 . 
     It is to be appreciated by someone skilled in the art that the various portions of shoe  500  may have differing physical dimensions without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. For example, sole  502  may be of a high platform design, as shown in  FIG. 20 , or a low platform design. Further, leg shaft  510  may be of various heights to allow a wearer to customize boot  500  for the wearer&#39;s specific height or leg length. Further, sole  502 , upper  506 , and leg shaft  510  may be constructed from any suitable material known in the industry, such as leather, faux leather, canvas, and flexible plastics, may be any color and texture, and may have a design image or pattern applied to one or more of the shoe&#39;s  500  surfaces. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 21 , a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown and generally designated  520 , shoe  520  comprises sole  502 , upper  506 , and leg shaft  510 . Boot  520  further comprises leg shaft extension  512 . A wearer may use leg shaft extension  512  to add extra height to shoe  520 . For example, without leg shaft extension  512 , shoe  520  may come to the middle of a wearer&#39;s calf. With leg shaft extension  512 , shoe  520  comes to the wearer&#39;s knee, thereby creating a different look and feel for shoe  520 . 
     To assemble shoe  520 , leg shaft extension  512  is connected to upper  506  by mating zipper portion  508   a  with zipper portion  514   a,  located along the bottom perimeter of leg shaft extension  512 , using slider  509 . As discussed above, zipper portions  508   a  and  514   a,  along with slider  509 , are reversible thereby allowing for leg shaft extension  512  to be turned inside out thereby making original interior  515  the new exterior of leg shaft extension  512 . Leg shaft  510  connects to the top of leg shaft extension  512  using zipper portion  508   b  mated with zipper portion  514   b,  located along the top perimeter of leg extension  512 , using slider  516 . The zipper combination of zipper portions  508   b  and  514  and slider  516  is reversible to allow leg shaft  512  to be turned inside out. 
     Moving on now to  FIG. 22 , another alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown and generally designated  530 . Shoe  530  consists of sole  502  and upper  506  connected using zipper  504  and a slider (not shown). Connected to upper  506  is leg shaft extension  532 . Leg shaft extension  532  comprises zipper portion  534   a  attached along the bottom perimeter of leg shaft extension  532  and zipper portion  534   b  attached along the top perimeter of leg shaft extension  532 . Leg shaft extension  532  further comprises a lace portion  537 , which comprises first lace tab  537   a  and second lace tab  537   b,  both of which run from the bottom perimeter of leg shaft extension  532  proximate zipper portion  534   a  to the top perimeter of leg shaft extension  532  proximate zipper portion  534   b . Lace  538  laces together lace tabs  537   a  and  537   b,  Also running from top to bottom of leg shaft extension  532 , and between lace tabs  537   a  and  537   b,  is tongue  548 . Lastly, leg shaft extension  532  also comprises a zipper  536 , which also runs from the top to the bottom of leg shaft extension  532 , and zipper slider  539 . 
     Lastly, shoe  530  further comprises leg shaft  540 . Leg shaft  540  comprises zipper portion  542  located along the bottom perimeter of leg shaft  540 . Leg shaft  540  also comprises lace portion  546 , which consists of a first lace tab  546   a  and a second lace tab  546   b.  Lace  544  laces together lace tabs  546   a  and  546   b.  Located adjacent lace tabs  546   a  and  546   b  is tongue  548 . Leg shaft  540  also has a zipper  550  and zipper slider  549 , which run from the top to the bottom of leg shaft  540 . 
     In use, a wearer assembles shoe  530  using sole  502 , upper  506 , leg shaft  540 , and leg shaft extension  532 . It is to be appreciated by someone skilled in the art that a sole of one color and material, an upper of a different color and material, a leg shaft extension of a third color and material, and a leg shaft of a fourth color and material may be combined to form a distinctive shoe  530 . Zippers  536  and  550  are disengaged by moving sliders  539  and  549  from the top to the bottom of leg shaft extension  532  and leg shaft  540  respectively, thereby allowing a wearer to more easily put on and take off shoe  530 . Once the wearer puts on shoe  530 , sliders  539  and  549  are moved from the bottom to the top of leg shaft extension  532  and leg shaft  540  respectively, thereby engaging zippers  536  and  550 . The wearer then pulls on laces  538  and  544  until the wearer achieves the desired fit. After laces  538  and  544  are adjusted to achieve the desired fit, the wearer only needs to use zippers  536  and  550  to more quickly and easily put on and take off shoe  530 . Since zippers  536  and  550  are reversible, leg shaft  540  and leg shaft extension  532  may be turned inside out while still allowing the use of zippers  536  and  540 . 
     Moving now to  FIG. 23 , an exploded view of the embodiment of the present invention described in  FIG. 22  is shown. The exploded view demonstrates the modular nature of the present invention.  FIG. 23  shows a sole  502  attached to upper  506 . Also shown is the interior surface  507  of upper  506 . Also shown is leg shaft extension  512 . Lastly,  FIG. 23  shows leg shaft  540  complete with lace  544 , lace tabs  546   a  and  546   b,  as well as zipper  550  with slider  549 . In use, a wearer may choose to use leg shaft extension  512  or leg shaft extension  532 , or may choose to not use any leg shaft extension. If a leg shaft extension is not used, then the wearer attaches the leg shaft directly to the upper. Alternatively, the wearer may choose to use leg shaft extension  532  and leg shaft  510 , thereby creating another distinctive look from the previous example. The wearer may also choose to not use any leg shaft or leg shaft extension, and only wear the sole  502  attached to the upper  506 . The wearer also has the option to turn one or both of the leg shaft and the leg shaft extension inside out to expose an alternative feature, such as color, material, or texture.  FIG. 23  shows the modular nature of this alternative embodiment of the present invention where a wearer may mix and match various components to create a distinctive look. It is to be appreciated by someone skilled in the art that leg shaft  540  and leg shaft extension  532  may have zippers  536  and  550  and not lace tabs  546   a  and  546   b  or may have lace tabs  546   a  and  546   b  and not zippers  536  and  550 . These several designs allow a wearer to mix and match the various components of the present invention to create distinctive looks. 
     Also shown in  FIG. 23  is finishing collar  560 . Finishing collar  560  is configured to attach to upper  506  and leg shaft extensions  512  and  532  by attaching zipper portion  562  to zipper portion  508   a  of upper  506 , zipper portion  514   b  of leg shaft extension  512 , or zipper portion  534   b  of leg shaft extension  532 . The finishing collar  560  is further configured with an inside flap  564  that provides a protective layer between a users skin and the interior surface of zipper portion  562 . Located around the top of finishing collar  560  is pad  566 . Pad  566  may be made from a covered foam material to enhance user comfort. Finishing collar  560  provides a finished aesthetic appearance as well as prevents any exposed zipper portions and edges from contacting and irritating a user&#39;s leg. The finishing collar may be made from any material similar to boot  500 , boot  520 , and boot  530 . It is to be appreciated by someone skilled in the art that zipper portions  508   b,    514   a,    534   a,  and  542  may have a flap, similar to flap  564 , to also prevent contact between the interior surface of the zipper portion and the users skin. 
     An additional configuration of the leg shaft and the leg shaft extension has the horizontal zippers starting and ending at the vertical zippers. This configuration allows the leg shaft or leg shaft extension to be separated and laid flat on a surface by fully unzipping the vertical zippers. This allows for easier storage of boot pieces and enhances the ability of a wearer to more easily put on and take off the boot. It also makes it easier for a user to turn the leg shafts  510  and  540  or the leg shaft extensions  512  and  532  inside out. For example, using  FIG. 22 , zipper  550  on leg shaft  540  may be located where lace tabs  546  are located. When zipper  550  is fully disengaged, and due to the fact that zipper  542  begins on one side of zipper  550  and ends on the other side of zipper  550 , leg shaft  540  opens to lay flat. For leg shaft extension  532 , zipper  536  may be located where lace tabs  537   a  and  537   b  are located, Zipper portions  534   a  and  534   b  would both start on one side of zipper  536  and end on the other side of zipper  536 . As with leg shaft  540 , when zipper  536  is fully disengaged, leg shaft extension  532  opens to lay flat. 
     It is to be appreciated by someone skilled in the art that flap  564  may be added to the bottom of leg shafts  510  and  540  and leg shaft extensions  512  and  532  to provide a protective layer between the inside surface of a zipper and a user&#39;s skin. The present invention as shown herein by preferred and alternative embodiments is merely exemplary of the variety of embodiments contemplated. It is to be appreciated that the features shown herein may be combined in different combinations to provide shoe of the present invention having various appearances and dynamic stylistic features. 
     Soles discussed herein may be made from any material known in the art, including but not limited to, wood, rubber, leather, and synthetic materials. Styles of the shoes discussed herein may include, but are not limited to, sneakers, tennis shoes, moccasin, slippers, sandals, boots, and other shoe styles known in the art.