EP1489938A1 - Interchangeable footwear system - Google Patents

Interchangeable footwear system

Info

Publication number
EP1489938A1
EP1489938A1 EP03743770A EP03743770A EP1489938A1 EP 1489938 A1 EP1489938 A1 EP 1489938A1 EP 03743770 A EP03743770 A EP 03743770A EP 03743770 A EP03743770 A EP 03743770A EP 1489938 A1 EP1489938 A1 EP 1489938A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
footwear system
interchangeable
interchangeable footwear
covers
shoe
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP03743770A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1489938A4 (en
Inventor
Darren Paul Bruce
Mark David Livingstone
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
LIVINGSTONE, MARK DAVID
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from AU2002100204A external-priority patent/AU2002100204A4/en
Priority claimed from AUPS2241A external-priority patent/AUPS224102A0/en
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of EP1489938A1 publication Critical patent/EP1489938A1/en
Publication of EP1489938A4 publication Critical patent/EP1489938A4/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43—FOOTWEAR
    • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
    • A43B3/00—Footwear characterised by the shape or the use
    • A43B3/24—Collapsible or convertible
    • A43B3/244—Collapsible or convertible characterised by the attachment between upper and sole
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43—FOOTWEAR
    • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
    • A43B3/00—Footwear characterised by the shape or the use
    • A43B3/24—Collapsible or convertible

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to .shoes and more particularly to shoes adapted to accept a range of interchangeable covers so as to alter appearance.
  • Footwear has long come to serve additional functions to that of mere utility.
  • the desirability for variations of style, colour and decoration, particularly in the areas of children's, ladies' and sport related footwear requires the purchase of multiple pairs of shoes.
  • to change from one style or appearance of footwear to another while away from home requires that additional bulky pairs of shoes are taken along. It is an object of the present invention to address or ameliorate at least one of the above disadvantages.
  • an interchangeable footwear system comprising a shoe assemb]y including
  • any one of a plurality of said covers are adapted to allow fitting to said base shoe forming an assembly so as to change the appearance and use environment of said shoe assembly.
  • said base shoe comprises a sole portion and an upper portion.
  • said sole portion is provided with an upwardly extending perimeter rim portion.
  • said upwardly extending perimeter rim portion is provided with a first mating element.
  • interchangeable covers are provided with a second mating element along the lower perimeter of said covers,
  • said first mating element is female.
  • said first mating element is male.
  • said second mating element is male.
  • said second mating element is female.
  • said first and second mating elements are substantially V-shaped in section.
  • said V-shaped sections of said mating elements are provided with matching protrusions and recesses so as to provide a snap-fit when said cover is assembled to said base shoe.
  • said base shoes are provided in a range of shapes, and sizes.
  • said covers are provided in a matching range of shapes and sizes adapted to fit said base shoes.
  • said covers are provided in a range of colours and patterns.
  • said base shoe and said covers are made from any of a selection of materials, said selection including leather, canvas, rubber, plastic and other synthetic materials.
  • a one of said covers includes an indicia- receiving portion.
  • said indicia-receiving portion is adapted to display promotional indicia
  • a method of altering the appearance of a shoe comprising utilising the interchangeable footwear system of any preceding claim.
  • Figure 1 is a side elevation view of a base shoe according to an embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 2 is a side elevation view of a shoe cover according a preferred embodiment of the invention
  • Figure 3 is a detail of a cross section of the mating system between base shoe and cover according to a preferred embodiment of the invention
  • a base shoe 10 is provided with a sole 11 and upper portion 12.
  • Sole 11 is further provided around its perimeter with an upwardly extending rim portion 13.
  • Both sole 11 and upper portion 12 may be constructed from conventional shoe materials including leather, canvas, rubber, plastic and other synthetic materials.
  • rim portion 13 is formed from a moulded resilient material and forms a first mating element 14.
  • shoe cover 15 consists of a sheath open at its underside 16 and provided around its lower perimeter 17 with second mating element 18. Cover 15 is adapted to slip over the upper portion 12 of base shoe 10 with first and second mating elements 14 and 18 engaging so as to retain cover 15 on base shoe 10.
  • Figure 3 shows a preferred embodiment of mating elements 14 and 18 where the perimeter rim portion 13 of base shoe sole 11 is provided with female moulded engagement means 19 and the lower perimeter 17 of cover 15 is provided with moulded male engagement means 20.
  • sole portion female engagement means 19 is provided with a substantially V- shaped section 21 having projections 22 and recesses 23 along both inner surfaces of the V.
  • Upper portion 15 male engagement means 20 has matching V-shaped section 24 with like projections 25 and recesses 26 such that the projections 22 and recesses 23 of sole portion female engagement means 19 provide a snap fit with recesses 26 and projections 25 of upper portion male engagement means.
  • lower perimeter 17 may be provided with waterproofing lip 27 so as to prevent ingress of water into the engagement means .
  • base shoes 10 may be provided with a plainly constructed upper portions 12 providing no more than a scaffold for the addition of covers.
  • upper portions 12 of base shoes 10 may be adapted to a particular appearance or use environment.
  • covers may be provided with logos or other proprietary indicia, or otherwise personalized ⁇ to reflect an interest or taste of the wearer. In use, covers are made available in a matching range of sizes and shapes to suit base shoes. A wearer may purchase a pair of base shoes with or without one or more covers. Further covers may be purchased subsequently.

Landscapes

  • Footwear And Its Accessory, Manufacturing Method And Apparatuses (AREA)

Abstract

An interchangeable footwear system comprising a shoe assembly including: (a) a base shoe; (b) interchangeable covers, in which any one of a plurality of said covers are adapted to allow fitting to said base shoe forming an assembly so as to change the appearance and use environment of said shoe assembly.

Description

INTERCHANGEABLE FOOTWEAR SYSTEM
The present invention relates to .shoes and more particularly to shoes adapted to accept a range of interchangeable covers so as to alter appearance.
BACKGROUND
Footwear has long come to serve additional functions to that of mere utility. The desirability for variations of style, colour and decoration, particularly in the areas of children's, ladies' and sport related footwear requires the purchase of multiple pairs of shoes. Moreover, to change from one style or appearance of footwear to another while away from home, requires that additional bulky pairs of shoes are taken along. It is an object of the present invention to address or ameliorate at least one of the above disadvantages.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
Accordingly, in one broad form of the invention there is provided an interchangeable footwear system comprising a shoe assemb]y including
(a) a base shoe
(b) interchangeable covers in which any one of a plurality of said covers are adapted to allow fitting to said base shoe forming an assembly so as to change the appearance and use environment of said shoe assembly. Preferably said base shoe comprises a sole portion and an upper portion.
Preferably said sole portion is provided with an upwardly extending perimeter rim portion.
Preferably said upwardly extending perimeter rim portion is provided with a first mating element.
Preferably said interchangeable covers are provided with a second mating element along the lower perimeter of said covers,
Preferably said first mating element is female. Preferably said first mating element is male.
Preferably said second mating element is male.
Preferably said second mating element is female.
Preferably said first and second mating elements are substantially V-shaped in section. Preferably said V-shaped sections of said mating elements are provided with matching protrusions and recesses so as to provide a snap-fit when said cover is assembled to said base shoe. Preferably said base shoes are provided in a range of shapes, and sizes.
Preferably said covers are provided in a matching range of shapes and sizes adapted to fit said base shoes. Preferably said covers are provided in a range of colours and patterns.
Preferably said base shoe and said covers are made from any of a selection of materials, said selection including leather, canvas, rubber, plastic and other synthetic materials.
Preferably a one of said covers includes an indicia- receiving portion.
Preferably said indicia-receiving portion is adapted to display promotional indicia, In a further broad form of the invention there is provided a method of altering the appearance of a shoe, said method comprising utilising the interchangeable footwear system of any preceding claim.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a side elevation view of a base shoe according to an embodiment of the present invention,
Figure 2 is a side elevation view of a shoe cover according a preferred embodiment of the invention, Figure 3 is a detail of a cross section of the mating system between base shoe and cover according to a preferred embodiment of the invention,
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first preferred embodiment of a interchangeable footwear system according to the invention will now be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2.
A base shoe 10 is provided with a sole 11 and upper portion 12. Sole 11 is further provided around its perimeter with an upwardly extending rim portion 13. Both sole 11 and upper portion 12 may be constructed from conventional shoe materials including leather, canvas, rubber, plastic and other synthetic materials.
Preferably rim portion 13 is formed from a moulded resilient material and forms a first mating element 14.
With reference to Figure 2, shoe cover 15 consists of a sheath open at its underside 16 and provided around its lower perimeter 17 with second mating element 18. Cover 15 is adapted to slip over the upper portion 12 of base shoe 10 with first and second mating elements 14 and 18 engaging so as to retain cover 15 on base shoe 10.
Figure 3 shows a preferred embodiment of mating elements 14 and 18 where the perimeter rim portion 13 of base shoe sole 11 is provided with female moulded engagement means 19 and the lower perimeter 17 of cover 15 is provided with moulded male engagement means 20.
In the embodiment of Figure 3, sole portion female engagement means 19 is provided with a substantially V- shaped section 21 having projections 22 and recesses 23 along both inner surfaces of the V. Upper portion 15 male engagement means 20 has matching V-shaped section 24 with like projections 25 and recesses 26 such that the projections 22 and recesses 23 of sole portion female engagement means 19 provide a snap fit with recesses 26 and projections 25 of upper portion male engagement means.
Preferably lower perimeter 17 may be provided with waterproofing lip 27 so as to prevent ingress of water into the engagement means . Preferably base shoes 10 may be provided with a plainly constructed upper portions 12 providing no more than a scaffold for the addition of covers. Alternatively, upper portions 12 of base shoes 10 may be adapted to a particular appearance or use environment. In a further preferred embodiment, covers may be provided with logos or other proprietary indicia, or otherwise personalized ■ to reflect an interest or taste of the wearer. In use, covers are made available in a matching range of sizes and shapes to suit base shoes. A wearer may purchase a pair of base shoes with or without one or more covers. Further covers may be purchased subsequently.
Although the above description refers to shoes it will be understood that the concept of the invention may be applied to other forms of footwear including boots and certain configurations of sandals.
The above describes only some embodiments of the present invention and modifications, obvious to those skilled in the art, can be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

Claims

CLAIMS An interchangeable footwear system comprising a shoe assembly including (a) a base shoe (b) interchangeable covers in which any one of a plurality of said covers are adapted to allow fitting to said base shoe forming an assembly so as to change the appearance and use environment of said shoe assembly. The interchangeable footwear system of claim 1 wherein said base shoe comprises a sole portion and an upper portion. The interchangeable footwear system of claim 2 wherein said sole portion is provided with an upwardly extending perimeter rim portion. The interchangeable footwear system of claim 4 wherein said upwardly extending perimeter rim portion is provided with a first mating element, The interchangeable footwear system of claim 4 wherein said interchangeable covers are provided with a second mating element along the lower perimeter of said covers, The interchangeable footwear system of claim 5 wherein said first mating element is female.
7. The interchangeable footwear system of claim 6 wherein said first mating element is male,
8. The interchangeable footwear system of claim 7 wherein said second mating element is male. 9. The interchangeable footwear system of claim 8 wherein said second mating element is female. 10. The interchangeable footwear system of claim 9 wherein said first and second mating elements are substantially V-shaped in section. 11. The I interchangeable footwear system of claim 10 wherein said V-shaped sections of said mating elements are provided with matching protrusions and recesses so as to provide a snap-fit when said cover is assembled to said base shoe. 12. The interchangeable footwear system of claim 11 wherein said base shoes are provided in a range of shapes, and sizes.
13. The interchangeable footwear system of claim 12 wherein said covers are provided in a matching range of shapes and sizes adapted to fit said bas 'shoes. 4, The interchangeable footwear system of claim 13 wherein said covers are provided in a range of colours and patterns. The interchangeable footwear system of any preceding claim wherein said base shoe and said covers are made from any of a selection of materials, said selection including leather, canvas, rubber, plastic and other synthetic materials,, The interchangeable footwear system of any preceding claim wherein a one of said covers includes an indicia-receiving portion, The interchangeable footwear system of Claim 16 wherein said indicia-receiving portion is adapted to display promotional indicia. A method of altering the appearance of a shoe, said method comprising utilising the interchangeable footwear system of any preceding claim,
EP03743770A 2002-03-14 2003-03-14 Interchangeable footwear system Withdrawn EP1489938A4 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2002100204A AU2002100204A4 (en) 2002-03-14 2002-03-14 Interchangeable footwear
AU2002100204 2002-03-14
AUPS2241A AUPS224102A0 (en) 2002-05-09 2002-05-09 Interchangeable footwear system
AUPS224102 2002-05-09
PCT/AU2003/000314 WO2003075696A1 (en) 2002-03-14 2003-03-14 Interchangeable footwear system

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1489938A1 true EP1489938A1 (en) 2004-12-29
EP1489938A4 EP1489938A4 (en) 2005-04-06

Family

ID=27805839

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP03743770A Withdrawn EP1489938A4 (en) 2002-03-14 2003-03-14 Interchangeable footwear system

Country Status (7)

Country Link
US (1) US20050268496A1 (en)
EP (1) EP1489938A4 (en)
JP (1) JP2005519661A (en)
CN (1) CN1642451A (en)
CA (1) CA2479386A1 (en)
NZ (1) NZ535350A (en)
WO (1) WO2003075696A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7010872B2 (en) 2003-05-16 2006-03-14 The Timberland Company Modular shoe
EP1832190A3 (en) * 2003-05-16 2007-09-26 The Timberland Company Modular shoe
EP1746911A4 (en) 2004-04-23 2010-12-08 David R Curry Interchangeable footwear component
US7318260B2 (en) 2004-10-18 2008-01-15 Convertible Shoe, Llc Quick release locking mechanism and method, especially for a hidden-type convertible shoe
US20070137067A1 (en) * 2005-12-15 2007-06-21 Nike, Inc. Team shoe set with differing soles
US8046935B2 (en) * 2007-01-19 2011-11-01 Christopher Parisi Footwear protection device
US20080229615A1 (en) * 2007-03-22 2008-09-25 Jessie Yu Decorative Shoe Cover
US7669352B2 (en) 2007-03-30 2010-03-02 Jerry Stefani Interchangeable component shoe system
US8413351B1 (en) * 2010-06-02 2013-04-09 Megan W. Watters Shoe system with removable covers
GB201019651D0 (en) * 2010-11-19 2010-12-29 Bonelli Mauro Fasteners for interconnecting footwear components, and footwear constructed using such fasteners
USD757404S1 (en) 2013-09-24 2016-05-31 Joshua Stevenson Shoe with shoe cover
US9713364B2 (en) 2014-02-14 2017-07-25 Alyssa Ashley Simmons Foot habiliment with easily interchangeable outer
US20190142105A1 (en) * 2017-11-15 2019-05-16 Kadima Forward Inc. Adjustable footwear having interchangeable panels

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2236367A (en) * 1939-04-04 1941-03-25 Gruber John Shoe
US2261125A (en) * 1940-06-26 1941-11-04 Frances I Mcfeely Shoe
CH233835A (en) * 1943-05-07 1944-08-31 Keller Cornelia Shoe.
US2368314A (en) * 1942-05-28 1945-01-30 Marx Herman Shoe structure
US5337491A (en) * 1989-02-27 1994-08-16 Mascotte Lawrence L Shoe covering members
US5544430A (en) * 1994-03-22 1996-08-13 Jaggo, Inc. Athletic shoe cover and ankle support combination
EP0750859A2 (en) * 1995-06-27 1997-01-02 Michal Chalfan Accessory shoe uppers
US5896684A (en) * 1998-04-24 1999-04-27 Gnan-Jang Plastics Co., Ltd. Detachable toe strap and ankle strap mounting arrangement for a simple shoe

Family Cites Families (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3994080A (en) * 1975-02-25 1976-11-30 Joseph Marion Flanagan, Jr. Eight-in-one-shoe
US4887369A (en) * 1988-08-12 1989-12-19 Angileen Bailey Changeable shoe tops/heels
FR2659837A1 (en) * 1990-03-09 1991-09-27 De Crepy Emmanuel Shoe and its decorative covering
US5311676A (en) * 1992-11-30 1994-05-17 Hughes Thomas S Changeable shoe covering
US5566477A (en) * 1994-04-08 1996-10-22 Mathis; Leroy Removable shoelace cover for a shoe
US5778564A (en) * 1995-11-09 1998-07-14 Kettner; Mark Changeable shoe cover
US6212797B1 (en) * 1999-06-15 2001-04-10 David Merry Footwear with detachable spat
US20020174569A1 (en) * 2001-05-24 2002-11-28 Mao-Cheng Tsai Shoe with changeable styles

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2236367A (en) * 1939-04-04 1941-03-25 Gruber John Shoe
US2261125A (en) * 1940-06-26 1941-11-04 Frances I Mcfeely Shoe
US2368314A (en) * 1942-05-28 1945-01-30 Marx Herman Shoe structure
CH233835A (en) * 1943-05-07 1944-08-31 Keller Cornelia Shoe.
US5337491A (en) * 1989-02-27 1994-08-16 Mascotte Lawrence L Shoe covering members
US5544430A (en) * 1994-03-22 1996-08-13 Jaggo, Inc. Athletic shoe cover and ankle support combination
EP0750859A2 (en) * 1995-06-27 1997-01-02 Michal Chalfan Accessory shoe uppers
US5896684A (en) * 1998-04-24 1999-04-27 Gnan-Jang Plastics Co., Ltd. Detachable toe strap and ankle strap mounting arrangement for a simple shoe

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See also references of WO03075696A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN1642451A (en) 2005-07-20
EP1489938A4 (en) 2005-04-06
US20050268496A1 (en) 2005-12-08
JP2005519661A (en) 2005-07-07
NZ535350A (en) 2005-11-25
WO2003075696A1 (en) 2003-09-18
CA2479386A1 (en) 2003-09-18

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
USD415339S (en) Sport shoe outsole
USD393358S (en) Element of a shoe
US20050268496A1 (en) Interchangeable footwear system
USD490232S1 (en) Portion of a shoe midsole
US20080022558A1 (en) Shoe Device
US20020174569A1 (en) Shoe with changeable styles
US5659980A (en) Adjustable shoe
US20090229145A1 (en) Shoe with Swappable Toe Piece
WO2005011417A3 (en) Vapor-permeable and waterproof sole for shoes, particularly but not exclusively for open shoes such as sandals, sabots and the like, and shoe provided with the sole
US20130255106A1 (en) Assembled footwear
US20170245583A1 (en) Modular shoe with interchangeable components and method of attachment
US20020083617A1 (en) Shoe with a transparent toe cap
US10925344B1 (en) Sandal with detachable foot cover
USD375616S (en) Footwear tread
USD416667S (en) Clog style molded plastic shoe
USD462826S1 (en) Slippers
KR200440030Y1 (en) Shoes
AU2003209833B2 (en) Interchangeable footwear system
AU2007203073A1 (en) Interchangeable Footwear System
US20210195986A1 (en) Sandal with Detachable Footcover
KR100575601B1 (en) A functional shoes heel
KR200240638Y1 (en) A sandal combined sneakers
US20030101624A1 (en) Shoe insoles with thermal-color coating
AU2002100204B8 (en) Interchangeable footwear
KR200327752Y1 (en) plastic slipper

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20041012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IT LI LU MC NL PT RO SE SI SK TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: AL LT LV MK

A4 Supplementary search report drawn up and despatched

Effective date: 20050223

RAP1 Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred)

Owner name: LIVINGSTONE, MARK DAVID

RIN1 Information on inventor provided before grant (corrected)

Inventor name: LIVINGSTONE, MARK DAVID

Inventor name: BRUCE, DARREN PAUL

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20070928

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN

18D Application deemed to be withdrawn

Effective date: 20080409