Abstract:
A Split-toed Shoe is disclosed. The shoe has a special upper that includes a split toe. In order to provide additional durability and stability, the sole of the shoe does not have a corresponding split in the toe. Furthermore, in order to add aesthetic appeal and versatility, the shoe may include a toe strap configured to accept exchangeable buckles thereon.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This invention relates generally to footwear and, more specifically, to a Split-toed Shoe. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    Men&#39;s, and particularly women&#39;s footwear fashions are notorious for their wide variety of styles and comparatively short lifespan. While men&#39;s business fashions tend to change less dramatically, the problem with them is that the shoes are so expensive that the buyer tends to keep them for an exceeding long period of time. Once purchased, however, their really has never been a high quality method for making a change to a particular pair of shoes. The pair, once purchased, will many times outlast its desirability from a fashion standpoint. Furthermore, while women&#39;s shoe fashions have included models that allow the user to accessorize the shoe with decorative items, men&#39;s fashions have not. What is needed to solve these problems is new shoe design that includes the quality workmanship that men demand for their footwear, while also providing the wearer with the opportunity to add and/or change decorative accessories on the shoes. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    In light of the aforementioned problems associated with the prior devices, it is an object of the present invention to provide a Split-toed Shoe. The shoe should have a special upper that includes a split toe. In order to provide additional durability and stability, the sole of the shoe should not have a corresponding split in the toe. Furthermore, in order to add aesthetic appeal and versatility, the shoe should include a toe strap configured to accept exchangeable buckles thereon. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    The objects and features of the present invention, which are believed to be novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, of which: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a pair of the split-toed shoes of the present invention; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a side perspective view of one of the shoes of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a rear perspective view of the other of the shoes of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a bottom view of one of the shoes of  FIGS. 1-3 ; and 
           [0011]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  are top and bottom perspective views of one preferred embodiment of the buckle suitable for use with the shoes of  FIGS. 1-4 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0012]    The following description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventor of carrying out his invention. Various modifications, however, will remain readily apparent to those skilled in the art, since the generic principles of the present invention have been defined herein specifically to provide a Split-toed Shoe. 
         [0013]    The present invention can best be understood by initial consideration of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a pair of the split-toed shoes  10  of the present invention. It is noted that the invention to be described herein is intended to be provided in connection with all sorts of styles of shoes, for men, women and children. What is depicted herein is simply one version used for the purposes of discussing the aspects and attributes of the present invention. 
         [0014]    Each shoe  10  is defined by an upper  12  and a sole  14  extending upwardly therefrom. The upper  12  shown here is in many ways very similar to a conventional men&#39;s conservatively styled shoe. What is unique is that the toe end of the shoe  10  has a channel  18  formed in it to separate the great toe from the wearer&#39;s other toes. The channel  18  extends from the top of the outer surface  16  of the upper  12  down to the sole  14  to form a gap  20  between the two sidewalls  22 A,  22 B defining the channel  18 . As will be specifically depicted below, the sole  14  is unbroken in the vicinity of the channel  18 , meaning that the sole  14  forms closes off the bottom of the channel. This solid sole design provides better stability to the wearer, longer life for the shoe itself, and further eliminates a location for gathering dirt and other unwanted materials. 
         [0015]    Another unique attribute of the shoe  10  is the decorative strap  24  extending from the channel  18  to the inner side of the great toe portion of the upper  12 . The strap  24  provides a decorative feature for the shoe that is unique and distinctive. Furthermore, the wearer can add decorative buckles  26 , such as the one depicted here, to further improve the aesthetic appeal of the shoe. Because the buckle  26  is removable, the owner can change out the buckles  26  to give the shoe  10  a different look. If we now turn to  FIG. 2 , we can further examine the details of this invention. 
         [0016]      FIG. 2  is a side perspective view of one of the shoes  10  of  FIG. 1 . Here, the distal end of the decorative strap  24  has been detached in order to make its structure and function more apparent. 
         [0017]    The strap  24  is attachable at its distal end to a lower tab  30  extending upwardly from the sole  14  on the inner side of the upper  12 . In this version, the lower tab  30  has a fastener-half  32 A made of hook-and-loop fastener material disposed on its outer surface. A cooperating fastener-half  32 B of hook-and-loop fastener material is disposed on the inner surface of the distal end of the strap  24 . The cooperation of these fastener-halves  32 A,  32 B makes the strap  24  easily detachable from the lower tab  30 , yet also easily secured thereto. 
         [0018]    The buckle  26  is configured to slip over the distal end of the strap  24  in a way such that when the strap  24  is attached to the tab  30 , the decorative upper surface of the buckle is displayed. To remove the buckle  24 , such as to exchange it with a different one from a group of buckles, the user need simply detach the distal end of the strap  24 , and then slip off the buckle  26 . The reader should also note that the non-detachable end of the strap emanates from within or adjacent to the channel  18 , such that when the strap  24  is attached to the tab, it will have an appearance similar to a toe strap. We will now turn to  FIG. 3  to examine the effect of the channel  18  on the inner chamber  28  of the shoe  10 . 
         [0019]      FIG. 3  is a rear perspective view of the other of the shoes  10  of  FIG. 1 . As can be seen, toe end of the inner chamber  28  is bisected by the channel structure. What can be seen here are the sidewalls  22 A,  22 B and the end wall  22 C that define the channel (see  FIG. 1 ). Studies reveal that separating the great toe from the other toes will provide relief to many sufferers of foot discomfort. Furthermore, the wearer gains added balance and stability by separating these toe groups from one another. It is expected that wearers of this unique shoe will need specialized socks that have a form fitting channel formed within them to match the channel (see  FIG. 1 ) in these unique shoes. Due to the additional absorbent socks surfaces now in contact with the toes, reduced foot odor and improved dryness and comfort of the feet can be expected.  FIG. 4  clearly depicts from the bottom of the shoe  10  that the sole  14  does not have any cuts, breaks or slots formed through it to correspond to the channel (see  FIG. 1 ). As a result, the toes remain immobilized in relation to one another, and therefore safer from damage. Also, foreign matter will not intrude between the toes as the wearer walks around outdoors. Still further, the shoe upper can be expected to undergo less flexing and wear because the sole is providing a stable platform for the foot and upper. 
         [0020]    Finally, we will turn to  FIGS. 5A and 5B  to examine the features of the decorative buckle  26 .  FIGS. 5A and 5B  are top and bottom perspective views, respectively, of one preferred embodiment of the buckle  26  suitable for use with the shoes of  FIGS. 14 . The buckles can be made from a variety of materials and in a variety of designs, from the low-cost manufactured approach to a high-dollar, custom-designed jewelry made from precious metals and jewels. 
         [0021]    The buckle  26  has an upper portion  36  and a side portion  38  extending therefrom. The top surface  40  of the buckle  26  is generally flat in order to provide a suitable surface for engraving or attaching indicia  42  thereto or thereon. The indicia could be jewels, inscriptions, precious metals, and the like. 
         [0022]    The body of the buckle  26  forms a strap channel  44  within it, extending from a side mouth  46 A (on the side of the shoe) to a top mouth  46 B (on the top of the shoe). In the depicted version, the strap channel  44  is formed by the metal of the buckle  26  being curved inwardly to form a pair of opposing fins  48 A and  48 B. In other versions, these fins  48 A,  48 B may actually interconnect to form a solid bottom surface of the buckle  26 . 
         [0023]    The strap channel  44  is sized so that the buckle  26  can be slid onto, or off of the decorative strap (see  FIG. 2 ), when the strap is detached from the lower tab (see  FIG. 2 ). As discussed above, it is expected that the owner will have numerous decorative buckles so that they can be mixed and matched with wardrobe or the wearer&#39;s moods. 
         [0024]    Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the just-described preferred embodiment can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.