Abstract:
The technology described herein provides a graphics plate bearing a graphic and configured for placement on a bottom surface of a sole of a shoe. The graphics plate is removable and interchangeable. In a second embodiment, a shoe is provided having a graphics plate bearing a graphic and configured for placement in a shoe, a sole of the shoe being molded and configured for receipt of the graphics plate. In a third embodiment, a footwear system is provided for imprinting customized messages on a surface below. The footwear system includes a shoe having a molded sole and a graphics plate bearing a graphic and configured for placement on a bottom surface of the molded sole of the shoe. Once inserted into the shoe, the graphics plate leaves an imprint of a surface below the sole of the shoe as a wearer of the shoes walks and runs.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The technology described herein relates generally to footwear. More specifically, this technology relates to a customizable shoe sole with a removable, interchangeable graphics plate. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Many types and varieties of footwear are known in the art. Footwear customization can be utilized for the purposes of personalization, novelty, and vanity. Customization to the sole of the footwear can enable imprint of a word, graphical design, name, or the like, upon a surface underneath. 
         [0003]    Related patents known in the art include the following: U.S. Pat. No. 5,331,753, issued to Rodibaugh on Jul. 26, 1994, discloses personalized signature shoes. U.S. Pat. No. 6,442,869, issued to Coomes on Sep. 3, 2002, discloses children&#39;s sandals having replaceable soles. 
         [0004]    The foregoing patent and other information reflect the state of the art of which the inventor is aware and are tendered with a view toward discharging the inventor&#39;s acknowledged duty of candor in disclosing information that may be pertinent to the patentability of the technology described herein. It is respectfully stipulated, however, that the foregoing patent and other information do not teach or render obvious, singly or when considered in combination, the inventor&#39;s claimed invention. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    In various exemplary embodiments, the technology described herein provides a customizable shoe sole with a removable, interchangeable graphics plate. 
         [0006]    In one exemplary embodiment, the technology described herein provides a removable, interchangeable graphics plate bearing a graphic that is raised from a surface of the graphics plate and configured for placement on a bottom surface of a sole of a shoe. The graphics plate is removable and interchangeable with the sole of the shoe. The graphics plate is configured for insertion into a cavity on a bottom surface of a sole of a shoe so that the graphics plate, once inserted, is flush with the sole of the shoe. The graphics plate also includes at least one locking screw configured for placement through a hole in the graphics plate. The locking screw, once the graphics plate is inserted into the sole of the shoe, is rotated to lock the graphics plate in place in the sole of the shoe. The graphics plate also includes a graphics plate key. The key comprises an edge for insertion into and rotating the locking screw. The graphics plate further includes at least one tab disposed upon the graphics plate configured for insertion into the sole of a shoe. The tab provides for and maintains secure placement of the graphics plate in the sole of the shoe. The graphic can include text, stylized designs, or a combination of both. The graphics plate can be manufactured from rubber, plastic, epoxy, wood, metal, and composite. 
         [0007]    In another exemplary embodiment, the technology described herein provides a shoe. The shoe includes a graphics plate bearing a graphic that is raised from a surface of the graphics plate and that is configured for placement in a shoe. The sole of the shoe is molded and configured for receipt of the graphics plate. The graphics plate is removable and interchangeable with the sole of the shoe. The sole of the shoe includes a cavity on a bottom surface so that the graphics plate, once inserted, is flush with the sole of the shoe. The cavity can further include a recessed tab area to receive a tab disposed upon the graphics plate. The cavity can further include a recessed locking screw area to receive a portion of a locking screw inserted through the graphics plate and rotated to lock the graphics plate to the sole of the shoe. 
         [0008]    In yet another exemplary embodiment, the technology described herein provides a footwear system for imprinting customized messages on a surface below the sole of the shoe. The footwear system includes a shoe having a molded sole, a graphics plate bearing a graphic that is raised from a surface of the graphics plate and configured for placement on a bottom surface of the molded sole of the shoe. The graphics plate is removable and interchangeable with the sole of the shoe. Once inserted into the shoe, the graphics plate leaves an imprint of a surface below the sole of the shoe as a wearer of the shoes walks and runs. The footwear system can also include a locking screw mechanism. At least one locking screw is utilized to secure the graphics plate to the molded sole of the shoe. The footwear system can also include a tab mechanism. The graphics plate includes at least one tab configured for insertion into the sole of the shoe. The tab provides for and maintains secure placement of the graphics plate into the sole of the shoe. The footwear system can further include a graphics plate key for securing the inserted graphics plate to the sole of the shoe and for removing the graphics plate from the sole of the shoe. 
         [0009]    There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the technology 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. There are additional features of the technology that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the technology 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 technology described herein 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 description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
         [0010]    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 technology described herein. 
         [0011]    Further objects and advantages of the technology described herein will be apparent from the following detailed description of a presently preferred embodiment which is illustrated schematically in the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    The technology described herein is illustrated with reference to the various drawings, in which like reference numbers denote like device components and/or method steps, respectively, and in which: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a shoe having a customizable sole with a graphics plate, according to an embodiment of the technology described herein; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the shoe having a customizable sole with a graphics plate depicted in  FIG. 1 , illustrating, in particular, the removability and interchangeability of the graphics plate, according to an embodiment of the technology; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the shoe having a customizable sole with a graphics plate depicted in  FIG. 1 , illustrating, in particular, the insertion of the graphics plate, according to an embodiment of the technology; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the shoe having a customizable sole with a graphics plate depicted in  FIG. 1 , illustrating, in particular, the receptacles to receive tabs of the graphics plate; 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a close up perspective view of the receptacles to receive tabs of the graphics plate depicted in  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a graphics plate, according to an embodiment of the technology; 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a graphics plate key, according to an embodiment of the technology; 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a graphics plate lock, according to an embodiment of the technology; 
           [0021]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a shoe having a customizable sole with a graphics plate, according to an alternative embodiment of the technology described herein; 
           [0022]      FIG. 10  is a close up perspective view of the graphics plate receptacle cavity depicted in  FIG. 9  according to an alternative embodiment of the technology; 
           [0023]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a graphics plate, according to an alternative embodiment of the technology; 
           [0024]      FIG. 12  is a side view of the graphics plate depicted in  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 13  is a side view of the graphics plate depicted in  FIG. 11 ; and 
           [0026]      FIGS. 14 through 22  are views of varied graphics plates, illustrating, in particular, the number and type of tabs and the number and type of plate locks. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0027]    Before describing the disclosed embodiments of this technology in detail, it is to be understood that the technology is not limited in its application to the details of the particular arrangement shown here since the technology described is capable of other embodiments. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. 
         [0028]    In various exemplary embodiments, the technology described herein provides a customizable shoe sole with a removable, interchangeable graphics plate. 
         [0029]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , shoe  10  is shown. Shoe  10  includes a customizable sole  12  with a removable, interchangeable graphics plate  14 . The shoe  10  can utilize a specially designed sole  12  configured for the graphics plate  14 . Alternatively, the shoe  10  can include a receptacle embedded within it to receive the graphics plate. The graphics plate  14  is removable and interchangeable with the sole  12  of the shoe  10 . 
         [0030]    The graphics plate  14  can be manufactured from rubber, plastic, epoxy, wood, metal, and composite. Additionally, as will be apparent to those in the art, alternative materials can be utilized for the graphics plate  14  that are suitable for use in and on the sole  12  of a shoe  10 . 
         [0031]    The graphics plate  14  includes permanent graphic  18 . When worn in a shoe, the graphic  18  disposed upon the graphics plate  14  leaves an impression on a ground surface as a wearer walks. The graphic  18  is raised from the surface of the graphics plate  14  such that it can leave an imprint. The graphic  18  can include text, a stylized design, or both. For example, the graphic  18  can include a name, number, symbol, animate character, graphic, logo, animal track, graphical language characters such as Chinese language characters, and so forth. 
         [0032]    As shoe  10  containing a graphics plate  14  is worn by a wearer, an impression of the graphic  18  is made on a surface (e.g., soil, snow, etc.) on which the wearer is walking or running. The graphic  18  is raised from a surface of the graphics plate  14 . 
         [0033]    The graphics plate  14  is easily removed by the wearer. Each graphics plate  14  is interchangeable, so a wearer can swap graphics plates  14  at will to change graphics  18 . Multiple means are provided to attach the graphics plate  14  to the sole  12  of the shoe  10 . 
         [0034]    The graphics plate  14  can be inserted into a cavity on a bottom surface of a sole  12  of a shoe  10  so that the graphics plate, once inserted, is flush with the sole of the shoe. The graphic  18  is raised from a surface of the graphics plate  14  such that it can leave an imprint when in use. 
         [0035]    The graphics plate  14  can include at least one locking screw  16  configured for placement through a hole in the graphics plate  14 . The locking screw  16 , once the graphics plate  14  is inserted into the sole  12  of the shoe  10 , is rotated to lock the graphics plate  14  in place in the sole  12  of the shoe  10 . 
         [0036]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , the graphics plate  14  bearing a graphic  18  is shown removed from a cavity  26  in the sole  12  of the shoe  10 . The cavity  26  is preformed in the sole  12  to receive the graphics plate  14 . As locking screws  16  are rotated to unlock the graphics plate  14  the graphics plate  14  can be removed. Locking screws  16  can be turned utilizing a graphics plate key (as shown in  FIG. 7 ), a coin, an edge, and so forth. Locking screws  16  can be utilized on one or both ends of the graphics plate  14 . A portion of each locking screw  16  slides through aperture  22  to secure the graphics plate  14  to the shoe  10 . Locking screw aperture  23  is provided to receive the portion of each locking screw  16  as it slides through aperture  22 . 
         [0037]    The graphics plate  14  can include at least one tab  20  disposed upon the graphics plate  14  and configured for insertion into the sole  12  of a shoe  10 . Each tab  20  provides for and maintains secure placement of the graphics plate  14  in the cavity  26  of the sole  12  of the shoe  10 . Tab apertures  24  are disposed with cavity  26  to receive the tabs  20  of the graphics plate  14 . 
         [0038]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , insertion of graphics plate  14  bearing graphic  18  is shown. Graphics plate  14  is inserted into cavity  26  in sole  12  of shoe  10 . During insertion, tabs  20  are lined up with and inserted into tab apertures  24 . Once the graphics plate  14  is inserted, the locking screws  16  are rotated such that a portion of the locking screws exits apertures  22  and enters locking screw apertures  23  in the cavity  26  in order to secure the graphics plate to the shoe  10 . 
         [0039]    Referring now to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the apertures disposed within cavity  26  are shown. As depicted in  FIG. 4 , region A, at least one aperture can be formed into cavity  26  of sole  12  of shoe  10 . As depicted in  FIG. 5 , those apertures can include tab apertures  24 . Tab apertures  24  are configured to receive tabs  20  of the graphics plate  14 . As depicted in  FIG. 5 , those apertures also can include locking screw aperture  23 . Locking screw aperture  23  is configured to receive a portion of locking screw  16  once rotated to secure the graphics plate  14  to the cavity  26 . 
         [0040]    Referring now to  FIG. 6 , one embodiment of graphics plate  14  is shown. The graphics plate  14  includes permanent graphic  18 . The graphics plate  14  can include at least one locking screw  16  configured for placement through a hole (not shown) in the graphics plate  14 . The locking screw  16 , once the graphics plate  14  is inserted into the sole  12  of the shoe  10 , is rotated to lock the graphics plate  14  in place in the sole  12  of the shoe  10 . A portion of each locking screw  16  slides through aperture  22  to secure the graphics plate  14  to the shoe  10 . The graphics plate  14  can include at least one tab  20  disposed upon the graphics plate  14  and configured for insertion into the sole  12  of a shoe  10 . Each tab  20  provides for and maintains secure placement of the graphics plate  14  in the cavity  26  of the sole  12  of the shoe  10 . 
         [0041]    Referring now to  FIG. 7 , a graphics plate key  28  is shown. The graphics plate key  28  includes a tip  32  and a grip area  30 . The top  32  is inserted into a locking screw  16  to rotate it. Grip area  30  provides means for the user to grip the graphics plate key  28 . 
         [0042]    Referring now to  FIG. 8 , a locking screw  16  is shown. The locking screw  16  includes a trunk  40 , a head  36 , groove  34 , and tongue  38 . Tongue  38  is rotated through aperture  22  in the graphics plate  14  as the graphics plate is locked to a shoe  10 . The graphics plate key  28  (depicted in  FIG. 7 ) can be utilized in groove  34  to rotate the locking screw  16 . 
         [0043]    Referring now to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the sole  12  of a shoe  10  having a customizable sole  12  with a graphics plate  14  bearing a graphic  18 , according to an alternative embodiment, is shown. Disposed with the sole  12  is a cavity  26  configured to receive graphics plate  14 . Depicted in enlarged area B are single tab aperture  48  and internal aperture  46 . The single tab aperture  48  is configured to receive single tab  42  from graphics plate  14  having only one, larger tab. The internal aperture  46  is configured to receive elongated locking screw  44 . 
         [0044]    Referring now to  FIG. 11 , a graphics plate  14 , according to an alternative embodiment, is shown. The graphics plate  14  bearing graphic  18  includes single tab  42  and elongated locking screw  44 . 
         [0045]    Referring now to  FIG. 12 , a side view of the graphics plate  14  depicted in  FIG. 6  is shown. The graphics plate  14  includes tab  20  and locking screw  16 . Locking screw  16  includes a head  36 , groove  34 , and tongue  38 . 
         [0046]    Referring now to  FIG. 13 , a side view of the graphics plate  14  depicted in  FIG. 11  is shown. The graphics plate  14  includes single tab  42  and elongated locking screw  44 . 
         [0047]    Referring now to  FIGS. 14 through 22 , various views of varied graphics plates, illustrating, in particular, the number and type of tabs and the number and type of plate locks are shown. As depicted in  FIG. 14 , configuration  50   a  illustrates a graphics plate  14  having a single tab  42  and one elongated locking screw  44 . As depicted in  FIG. 15 , configuration  50   b  illustrates a graphics plate  14  having two tabs  20  and a single locking screw  16 . As depicted in  FIG. 16 , configuration  50   c  illustrates a graphics plate  14  having a single tab  42  and one elongated locking screw  44 . The graphics plate  14  has a circular end for the locking screw  44 . As depicted in  FIG. 17 , configuration  50   d  illustrates a graphics plate  14  having no tabs and having two locking screws  16 . As depicted in  FIG. 18 , configuration  50   e  illustrates a graphics plate  14  having no locking screws and a single tab  42 . As depicted in  FIGS. 19 ,  20 , and  21 , configuration  50   f  illustrates a graphics plate  14  having no internal locking screws and a tab. The graphics plate  14  can be locked into place with a locking screw mechanism  16  having a tongue  38  embedded into the sole of the shoe. In such an embodiment, graphics plate  14  can be secured to the sole utilizing a bearing  58 , an axle  56 , and a disc  54 . With this configuration the graphics plate  14  can rotate and spin around in a manner analogous to an ice skater wearing skates. Rotational configurations can include the ability to rotate vertically or roll horizontally. As depicted in  FIG. 22 , configuration  50   g  illustrates a graphics plate  14  having a single locking screw  16  and no tabs. Configuration  50   g  utilizes a pocket to receive a tab from the shoe. 
         [0048]    In various alternative embodiments, the sole  12  can include embedded accessories. By way of example, contained in a deeper cavity  26  covered by a graphics plate  14 , items such as a lights and coins can be carried. In such a configuration the graphics plate  14  also serves as a lid to an embedded storage cavity in the sole  12  of the shoe  10 . In other varied embodiments, the graphics plate  14  can be rotated within the sole  12 . Still further embodiments include a noise producing graphics plate  14  and a scented graphics plate  14  for hunters. 
         [0049]    Although this technology has been illustrated and described herein with reference to preferred embodiments and specific examples thereof, it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments and examples can perform similar functions and/or achieve like results. All such equivalent embodiments and examples are within the spirit and scope of the invention and are intended to be covered by the following claims.