US20050055844A1 - Shoe having a variety of lacing styles - Google Patents

Abstract

An article of footwear comprises a sole, a shoe top having at least one of a toe portion and a heel portion wherein the shoe top is attached to the sole, and a shoe lip having a plurality of holes disposed between the sole and the shoe top.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION DATA
• This present application is a continuation-in-part of commonly assigned application Ser. No. 10/402,713, filed on Mar. 28, 2003, the disclosure of which in its entirety is incorporated by reference herein.
1. TECHNICAL FIELD
• The present invention relates generally to footwear, and more specifically, to shoes having a plurality of channels used for attaching an upper sole and a lower sole to form a shoe.
2. DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART
• Footwear includes a shoe top and a sole. The shoe top is securely attached to the sole. Generally, the shoe top wraps around some or all of a wearer's foot. The wearer's foot is typically held in place by shoelaces. Soles are generally formed of a cushioning material. Because the shoe top is fixedly attached to the sole, the entire footwear needs to be replaced when the soles are worn, the shoe top is defaced or damaged, or if the wearer grows tired of the look or style of the shoe. In certain circumstances, a shoe wearer may want to have a different thickness of sole, a different style, or a different material of upper and/or lower portions. Being not detachable, replacement of the entire shoe is the typical solution.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• In one exemplary embodiment of the invention, an article of footwear comprises a first sole including a first lip provided along its perimeter, a second sole including a second lip provided along its perimeter, a plurality of holes disposed along the lip of the first sole and a plurality of holes disposed along the lip of the second sole, wherein the first lip and the second lip are dimensioned and shaped to form at least a plurality of channels from the holes of the first lip and the second lip, and a lace for extending through at least a plurality of channels to attach the first sole to the second sole.
• In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, an article of footwear comprises a first sole including a first lip provided along its perimeter, a second sole including a second lip provided along its perimeter, a plurality of holes spaced apart and disposed along the first lip and the second lip, and a lace for extending through any combination of the plurality of holes to attach the first sole to the second sole.
• The article of footwear further comprises a shoe top having at least one of a toe portion, a heel portion, and an instep portion, wherein the shoe top is attached to the first sole. A first shoe top is attached to the first sole and a second shoe top is attached to a third sole. The second sole is attached to one of the first and the third sole using the lace. The first sole and the second sole are made from different materials. The lace strings through the first lip, the second lip, and above the shoe top. The second sole is thicker than the first sole. A material of the second sole is rubber.
• In still another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an article of footwear comprises a sole, a shoe top having at least one of a toe portion and a heel portion, wherein the shoe top is attached to the sole, and a shoe lip having a plurality of holes disposed between the sole and the shoe top. The shoe lip includes means for removably attaching to the sole. The means for attaching includes a tongue for fitting into a groove between the sole and the shoe top. The article of footwear further comprises a lace for extending through at least a plurality of holes to wrap around any portion of the wearer's toes, foot, ankle, calf, and leg in a plurality of decorative styles.
• In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a shoe lip for attachment to a shoe having at least a top portion and a sole comprises a plurality of holes spaced apart from each other and a tongue portion for insertingly fitting a groove between the sole and the shoe top. The tongue portion further includes adhesive material for affixing the shoe lip to the shoe.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is an exemplary illustration of a sandal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 2 is an exemplary illustration of a lace according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 3A is an exemplary illustration of a side view of layers of a sole of a sandal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 3B is an exemplary illustration of a channel incorporated into a sole locking mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 4 is an exemplary illustration of a top view of a sandal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 5 is an illustration of a shoe according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 6 is an illustration of a shoe according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
• With reference now to the Figures, the illustration ofFIG. 1 depicts an example of asandal100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In general,sandal100 comprises a sole102 having a plurality ofredirection holes104,grooves106, andrings108 for stringing alace110. Thelace110 is preferably a transparent plastic tube having afirst end112 and asecond end114, but can comprise any flexible material. The sole102 can further include atop layer116 and abottom layer118. The plurality ofredirection holes104 can further be provided between thetop layer116 and thebottom layer118. Thetop layer116 and thebottom layer118 can be connected together. In still another embodiment according to the present invention, the plurality ofredirection holes104,grooves106, andrings108 can string more than one lace (not shown).
• Referring toFIG. 2, in a preferred embodiment alace210 includeslights212 within its interior surface that can flash or remain constantly illuminated, for decorative purposes. Thelace210 also includes apower supply214, for example, a battery, that provides electric current to the lights using an electricallyconductive material216 within the interior surface of the lace that is connected to thelights212 andpower supply214 to form an electric circuit. Thepower supply214 can be positioned behind an electrically conductivefemale connector218 affixed to the first end of thelace210 that can be coupled to an electricallyconductive male connector220 affixed to the second end of thelace210, thereby completing the electric circuit. Thelace210 can further have a plurality of connectors and power supplies (not shown). In another embodiment according to the present invention, the lace includes anadjusting mechanism222 that adjusts the length of the lace for a comfortable fit of the sandal on the wearer's foot.
• Referring toFIG. 3A, in a preferred embodiment according to the present invention, the sole comprises a plurality of layers. Afirst layer302 that is in contact with a wearer's foot and asecond layer304 that is in contact with a surface. Thefirst layer302 having at least one of a plurality of redirection rings for stringing at least one of a plurality of laces and thesecond layer304 having at plurality of redirection holes and grooves for stringing at least one of a plurality of laces, as illustrated inFIG. 1. Again referencingFIG. 3A, thefirst layer302 and thesecond layer304 are affixed to each other using a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism is preferably comprised of a plurality oftongues308 arranged on thefirst layer302 and a plurality ofgrooves310 arranged on the second layer, wherein the plurality oftongues308 and the plurality ofgrooves310 are arranged oppositely to each other such that the plurality oftongues308 interlock with the plurality ofgrooves310 when pressed together. As shown inFIG. 3B, the locking mechanism can further include achannel312 for stringing a lace thereby hiding the lace from view and obtaining a seamless connection between thefirst layer302 andsecond layer304. Additionally, any number of layers of soles can be affixed together to obtain a more comfortable fit of the sandal on a wearer's foot.
• Referring toFIG. 4, a top view of a sandal is illustrated according to an embodiment of the present invention. Thelace404 can include amoveable anti-friction pad402 positioned over thelace404 to prevent irritation of a wearer's skin arising from friction of thelace404 against the skin. Theanti-friction pad402 further includes a plurality of securingdevices406 used to movably affix theanti-friction pad402 to thelace404.
• Further illustrated are a plurality of electrically conductive connectors408 (both male and female shown in a connected position) and a plurality of power supplies410. The electricallyconductive connectors408, the power supplies410, and a plurality ofillumination devices412 provided within the interior surface of thelace404, are connected using a electricallyconductive material414 also provided within the interior surface of thelace404. Thelace404 is strung through a plurality of redirection holes416, grooves (not shown), and rings418 that are provided on the perimeter, on a top surface, and within an interior surface (not shown) of a sole420, thereby forming a receptacle to secure the sole420 to a wearer's foot. The receptacle formed serves as a top portion of a shoe.
• When securing the sandal to a foot, any combination of redirection holes416, grooves, and rings418 can be used for stringing thelace404. Additionally, in conjunction with using any combination of redirection holes416, grooves, and rings418, to secure the sandal to the foot, the lace can be wrapped around any portion of the wearer's toes, foot, ankle, calf, and leg in a plurality of decorative styles. Obtaining a plurality of decorative styles from a single pair of sandals advantageously increases the marketability of the sandal.
• The illustration ofFIG. 5 depicts ashoe500 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Theshoe500 comprises anupper portion520 and alower portion530. Theupper portion520 includes an upper sole510 and a shoe top which comprises aheel portion506, atoe portion507, and aninstep portion508. The shoe top is fixedly attached to the upper sole510. The upper sole510 has a lip with a plurality ofholes501 which are spaced apart and disposed around its perimeter. Thelower portion530 comprises a lower sole511 formed of a cushioning material. The lower sole511 has a lip with a plurality ofholes503 which are spaced apart and disposed around its perimeter. In general, the upper sole510 is in contact with a wearer's foot and the lower sole511 is in contact with a surface.
• In one exemplary embodiment, the upper sole520 and the lower sole530 are dimensioned and shaped so that at least a plurality of holes of the upper sole520 and the lower sole530 match to form a channel through which lace513 can be strung to tie together the upper sole520 and the lower sole530.
• In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a shoe wearer may use a different thickness, a different color, and/or a different material of either the upper or lower portion. The shoe wearer may change a style of a shoe, for example, by replacing the upper sole with another sole having an attached shoe top. The new sole with shoe top may have a different shoe top with a completely different style, or different toe portion or heel portion, or by a different thickness and/or a different color of sole. For example, a rubber bottom sole can be used for wearing in slippery conditions.
• Thelace505 is preferably a transparent plastic tube having afirst end513 and asecond end514, but can comprise any flexible material. Details of thelace505 are same with the details of thelace210 described inFIG. 2. Thelace505 additionally secures thesoles510 and511 to wearer's foot. In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, theholes501 and503 can string more than one lace.
• When securing the upper sole510 to the lower sole511, any combination ofholes501 and503 can be used for stringing thelace505. In conjunction with using any combination ofholes501 and503 to secure the upper sole to the lower sole, the lace can be wrapped around any portion of the wearer's toes, foot, ankle, calf, and leg in a plurality of decorative styles. In such case, the shoe can be worn without the shoe top. In addition, to obtain a plurality of decorative styles, jewelry, colored plastics, or pieces of leather can be removably affixed to thelace505.
• The illustration ofFIG. 6 depicts ashoe600 according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Theshoe600 comprises a sole630, a shoe top, and ashoe lip610. The shoe top comprises aheel portion506, atoe portion507, and aninstep portion508. The shoe top is fixedly attached to the sole630. Theshoe lip610 has a plurality ofholes603 which are disposed spaced apart from each other. Theshoe lip610 can be removably attached to theshoe600, in a space between the sole630 and the shoe top. As shown, a tongue and groove system, with theshoe lip610 having atongue portion640 for insertingly fitting into the ‘groove’ between the sole630 and the shoe top. The tongue and groove system facilitates ease of adding theshoe lip610 to existing shoes. Alternatively, theshoe lip610 can be glued into existing shoes by an adhesive.
• In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, any connecting system, which is easy to attach and remove theshoe lip610 from the sole630, can be used. The magnified circles inFIG. 6 show exemplary shapes of theshoe lip610. Theshoe lip610 may be formed of an elastic material such as, for example, plastic, leather or rubber. The sole630 may be formed of a cushioning material.
• Although illustrative embodiments of the present invention have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various other changes and modifications may be affected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention.

Claims (24)

1. An article of footwear comprising:

a sole;

a shoe top having at least one of a toe portion and a heel portion, wherein the shoe top is attached to the sole; and

a shoe lip having a plurality of holes disposed between the sole and the shoe top.

2. The article of footwear ofclaim 1, wherein the shoe lip includes means for removably attaching to the sole.

3. The article of footwear ofclaim 2, wherein the means for attaching includes a tongue for fitting into a groove between the sole and the shoe top.

4. The article of footwear ofclaim 1, further comprising a lace for extending through at least a plurality of holes to wrap around any portion of the wearer's toes, foot, ankle, calf, and leg in a plurality of decorative styles.

5. An article of footwear comprising:

a first sole including a first lip provided along its perimeter;

a second sole including a second lip provided along its perimeter;

a plurality of holes disposed along the lip of the first sole and a plurality of holes disposed along the lip of the second sole, wherein the first lip and the second lip are dimensioned and shaped to form at least a plurality of channels from the holes of the first lip and the second lip; and

a lace for extending through at least a plurality of channels to attach the first sole to the second sole.

6. The article of footwear ofclaim 5, further comprising a shoe top having at least one of a toe portion, a heel portion, and an instep portion, wherein the shoe top is attached to the first sole.

7. The article of footwear ofclaim 5, further comprising a first shoe top attached to the first sole and a second shoe top attached to a third sole, wherein the second sole is attached to one of the first and the third sole using the lace.

8. The article of footwear ofclaim 5, wherein the first sole and the second sole are made from different materials.

9. The article of footwear ofclaim 6, wherein the lace strings through the first lip, the second lip, and above the shoe top.

10. The article of footwear ofclaim 5, wherein the second sole is thicker than the first sole.

11. The article of footwear ofclaim 5, wherein a material of the second sole is rubber.

12. The article of footwear ofclaim 5, further including affixing decorative articles onto the lace.

13. The article of footwear ofclaim 12, wherein the decorative articles include one of jewelry, colored plastics, and pieces of leather.

14. An article of footwear comprising:

a first sole including a first lip provided along its perimeter;

a second sole including a second lip provided along its perimeter;

a plurality of holes spaced apart and disposed along the first lip and the second lip; and

a lace for extending through any combination of the plurality of holes to attach the first sole to the second sole.

15. The article of footwear ofclaim 14, further comprising a shoe top having at least one of a toe portion, a heel portion, and an instep portion, wherein the shoe top is attached to the first sole.

16. The article of footwear ofclaim 14, further comprising a first shoe top attached to the first sole and a second shoe top attached to a third sole, wherein the second sole is attached to one of the first and the third sole using the lace.

17. The article of footwear ofclaim 14, wherein the first sole and the second sole are made from different materials.

18. The article of footwear ofclaim 15, wherein the lace strings through the first lip, the second lip, and above the shoe top.

19. The article of footwear ofclaim 14, wherein the second sole is thicker than the first sole.

20. The article of footwear ofclaim 14, wherein a material of the second sole is rubber.

21. The article of footwear ofclaim 14, further including affixing decorative articles onto the lace.

22. The article of footwear ofclaim 21, wherein the decorative articles include one of jewelry, colored plastics, and pieces of leather.

23. A shoe lip for attachment to a shoe having at least a top portion and a sole, the shoe lip comprising a plurality of holes spaced apart from each other and a tongue portion for insertingly fitting a groove between the sole and the shoe top.

24. The shoe lip ofclaim 23, wherein the tongue portion further includes adhesive material for affixing the shoe lip to the shoe.

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